Lakewood Sentinel 0209

ON A MISSION:

FEBRUARY 9, 2017

Christian bookstores have role in ministry P14

JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

Rooney Valley master plan Lakewood’s newly receives named ARTline shows go-ahead off best arts district A FINE LINE:

has to offer P9

BY CLARKE READER CREADER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

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Fit Into Your Home Search Process?

out Zillow’s home valuathey call “zestimates.” ly inaccurate — again, Zillow doesn’t have acMLS data for comparable etermine actual values. ne thing which Zillow t I find useful on occaoperty lines drawn over e view. The other data e you need to take with salt. up your own home adZillow and see what you the case of my own illow is very accurate details of my house, but es the real estate market as “cold,” which couldn’t ruth. And Zillow’s valuaf by about $100,000. on Zillow with which I wing: “June has historimonth to list a home in imate that listing your increase your sale price ng in February.” If our old,” that might be true, efore, winter can be the me in our current seller’s ewer listings with which nd almost as many buynew listing that comes

What about other websites? Keep in mind there is no better website than our MLS on which to search for listings, because it displays all active listings. The only national website that is directly linked to every MLS is realtor.com. I use it for searching outside Colorado, knowing that if it’s active on that website, it’s actually available to buy.

The brokerage websites which display listings — for example, remax.com or redfin.com — get their information directly from the MLS as well, and they’re pretty much all the same. We have that same feed on our website, www.GoldenRealEstate.com. But it is possible for brokerages to opt out of displaying their listings on these brokerage website, so the only 100% complete source for active listings is www.REcolorado.com.

There are multiple MLS’s in Colorado, and it is possible — although not smart — that a seller might list his home with an agent who is not a member of the local MLS. For example, occasionally I’ll see a listing of a Jeffco home that is on the northern Colorado MLS,

In a 6-5 vote, Lakewood’s city council approved the updated Rooney Valley master plan, which governs development of 990 acres that are jointly managed by Lakewood and the Town of Morrison.

The no votes were Ward 1’s Charley Able and Ramey Johnson, Ward 3’s Pete Roybal, and Ward 4’s Barb Franks and Dave Wiechman.

“This is a good plan that continues the tradition of keeping a Lakewood a great place for the next generation to move to,” said Ward 5’s Dana Gutwein. “The sign you drive by when you come to the city says ‘building an inclusive community.’ You can’t close the gates on Lakewood.”

The discussion was a continuation of the Jan. 23 meeting, which ran until nearly 2 a.m. During that meeting, council asked for clarification or more information on a variety of topics, including height restrictions on projects, wildlife protection, parkland creation and sustainability implementation.

All of these items were included in the plan before Monday’s vote.

The approval vote came after two hours of hours of council questions and discussion, as well as several attempts to delay the decision, or halt the plan entirely, none of which passed.

“Staff has put a lot of hard work and effort into this. They’ve studied, worked, been on site, and done their very best to put together

called IRES. This is not smart because very few Jeffco agents are members of IRES and even if they are, they aren’t going to search IRES for Jeffco listings. I happen to be a member of IRES for when I list homes in our northern suburbs or in the northern foothills such as Coal Creek Canyon. Similarly there are probably many northern Colorado listings on the Denver MLS that aren’t on IRES, which means those listings don’t get full exposure to buyers in their market.

Informational Session on ‘8 Weeks to Wellness’ Is Next Wednesday This is the program that Rita and I rave about. Over 10 of my readers have also taken it with similar good results. If you’d like to know more about it, come to a free informational session next Wednesday, Feb. 15th, at 6:30 p.m. at the office of Body in Balance, 755 Heritage Road, Golden. Call 303-215-0390 to reserve your seat(s). I’ll be there myself.

THANKS SCHOOL TO HANK: CLOSURE: Former mayor Pennington of &Wheat Ridge Townhome? and Stober What’s the Difference Between Condo remembered communities with gathering may learn of friends and school’s fate family P21 Thursday P8

Good question! And an important one!

Other times, each side might have its own A townhome owns the land under it, and legal description and address and can be there is no unit above or below it. sold separately. It’s possible to subdivide a A condo owns only its “air space.” There duplex with a single legal description so that could be units above it or below it, since it each side can be sold separately. does not own the land under it.

Finding duplexes to purchase can be comOccasionally, I come across a subdivision plicated by the fact that ones with a single ain school ratings from that structurally resembles townhomes, but legal description are listed in the “Residench is nice. It also has is legally a condo complex, meaning that the tial” database of the MLS, but ones with two r MLS. And, of course, land under those “townhomes” are owned by legal descriptions are listed in the “Income” database. A similar dilemma applies when it s who pay them a lot of the HOA, not the individual unit owner.

The distinction may not mean much to the comes to listing farm or ranch land which next to listings. typical homeowner, but it’s useful to know has a home on it. It could be listed under THEbutBOTTOM LINE the difference.

“Land” or under “Residential,” not both.

Your newspaper is made possible by advertisers duplexsupport is another our variation.

Sometimes these categories are listed together on like this one,Awho efforts to keep All you rcia passed away in connected both sides of the duplex have the same legal realtor.com, which is one reason to use that to your community! state sale company has description and cannot be sold separately. website on occasion. her fabulous collection. the items being sold Jim Smith ctures) can be seen Broker/Owner www.estatesales.net/ en/80401/1425210.

Golden Real Estate, Inc. ale is happening today DIRECT: 303-525-1851 orrow, Feb. 9th and INSIDE VOICES: PAGE 10 EMAIL: Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com .m. at Marcia’s home, 17695 South Golden Road, Golden 80401 e, Golden.

WEBSITE: www.GoldenRealEstate.com

& Artifacts?

Motions to delay or halt vote fail

SEE COUNCIL, P2

‘I haven’t reviewed Judge Gorsuch’s record but will remain vigilant against any #SCOTUS decision that threatens our equality, opportunity.’

All Agents Are EcoBrokers

Ed Perlmutter, Colorado Congressman | P18 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 24 | SPORTS: PAGE 26

LakewoodSentinel.com

VOLUME 93 | ISSUE 26

2 Lakewood Sentinel

February 9, 2017F

COUNCIL

MY NAME IS

DOROTHY KINCADE

FROM PAGE 1

St. Anthony Hospital’s longest tenured volunteer, recently retired at 94 About me …

I was born in New Mexico, and moved to the Denver area when I was two years old.

I graduated from South High School, and wanted to be a nurse, but when I met my husband, he didn’t want me to work. We were married in 1942, while he was in the service and stationed in Colorado.

We traveled some while he was in the service — we spent three years in Munich, Germany, and lived Florida for a time, but we kept coming back to Colorado.

Building a family I worked in the Montgomery Ward mail-order department for a time, as well as an insurance company and Colorado State Bank, but I gave it all up after World War II, when all the boys came back.

We had four boys, and I stayed home and raised them. My husband was always very proud of the fact I never had to work.

My husband passed in 1988, and I’m still in same house e bought in 1948. It’s been a good life, and I’m very happy here.

Volunteering at St. Anthony I saw an ad in the newspaper saying St. Anthony Hospital was looking for volunteers. This was in 1965, at the campus next to Sloan’s Lake. I’ve been volunteering at St. Anthony ever since.

I did practically everything in the hospital over the years, but I spent most of it in the emergency

Dorothy Kincade, 94, visits with St. Anthony Hospital’s emergency room staff during her volunteer retirement party on Jan. 19.

COURTESY OF ST. ANTHONY room, and the emergency department offices for the last several years.

I would visit patients and make sure they didn’t need anything, but I also worked in the gift shop, and helped at the information desk. I was in the emergency room when Flight for Life first started, and that was really exciting.

I just enjoy the work, and the people.

The benefits of helping others I was a volunteer ambassador at the Denver International Airport for 16 years, and between that and St. Anthony, I sure kept busy.

Not only is volunteering good for the individual who does it, it’s great for the people you are helping. During my time, I was able to give quite a bit of comfort to patient and families. I’m going to miss it all terribly.

If you have suggestions for My Name Is ..., contact Clarke Reader at creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

Family Owned, Family Run • Colorado Company for Coloradans • 31 Years and Running • Award Winning • Residential and Commercial • Dedicated Friendly Staff

plan that is different,” Able said. “But different doesn’t mean better. Because this is not as bad as previous plans is not a reason to vote for it.”

Rooney Valley, a mostly undeveloped area along C-470 on the west side of Green Mountain, south of the West Alameda and north of the Morrison Road exits, falls primarily within the jurisdictions of Lakewood and Morrison.

The municipalities have managed the areas jointly since the 1990s, but the last update of the master plan was in 2002, and a lack of development in the area has spurred Morrison and Lakewood to re-examine it. The original master plan provided for a maximum build-out that theoretically would have allowed for 28 million square feet of building space between the two communities.

The purpose of the new plan is to articulate the vision of the two municipalities by providing a solid foundation for policy direction, land use decisions and public investment.

Lakewood and Morrison revised the Rooney Valley Intergovernmental Agreement in 2016 to simplify the area’s development.

“When you’re elected to this job, land uses are the most challenging decisions we face as a body, and you’re guaranteed to have many folks go away not happy. But if previous councils had said ‘no, no, no,’ most of the houses on Green Mountain wouldn’t have been built,” Mayor Adam Paul said. “This is going to be a very complicated development for whoever takes it on, but I thank the people before me who had the forethought to say this is going to be a growth area.”

Lakewood City Council was originally scheduled to vote on the updated plan in early December. The Town of Morrison is scheduled to vote on the master plan Feb. 7.

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Lakewood Sentinel 3

7February 9, 2017

Open Space implements seasonal wildlife closures at five parks STAFF REPORT

Certain areas in five Jeffco Open Space parks will temporarily close to protect wildlife during sensitive times in their life cycles.

The seasonal closures began on Feb. 1. Open space staff and wildlife monitoring volunteers will monitor local conditions during closures and adjust as needed.

Seasonal wildlife closures apply to all park visitors and all types of visitation. Failure to comply with the closures can result in fines ranging from $50 to $150, and violations to The

Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act can result in a fine of $100,000, imprisonment or both.

The following five parks have seasonal wildlife closures implemented: Centennial Cone Park Feb. 1 through mid-June: Elk Range Trail and the interior of the park. The closure is to protect elk during calving season.

Clear Creek Canyon Park Feb. 1-July 31: Two closures in Clear Creek Canyon Park to protect an active golden eagle nesting territory.

Near Mile Marker 270. The closed area includes the rock climbing sites of Bumbling Stock, Stumbling Block, Skinny Legs, Blonde Formation and Ghost crag; and the Fault Caves.

Near Tunnel 2. The closed area includes the rock climbing sites of Highlander, Evil Area and Tetanus Garden.

Crown Hill Park March 1-June 30: Crown Hill Park Wildlife Refuge. The closure is to protect nesting and brooding waterfowl.

Cathedral Spires Park March 1-July 31: Cathedral Spires Park. The closure is to protect an active peregrine falcon nesting territory.

To learn more about the seasonal wildlife closures, visit http://jeffco. us/open-space/. To report active violations of closure areas, contact the Jefferson County Sheriff ’s Office non-emergency line at: 303-277-0211.

North Table Mountain Park Feb. 1-July 31: Rim Rock Trail at North Table Mountain Park. The closure is to protect active raptor nesting territory and ground-nesting bird habitat.

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Where Should Zillow Fit Into Your Home Search Process?

Zillow.com offers home buyers (and I’m not talking about Zillow’s home valuasellers) some compelling reasons to use tion numbers, which they call “zestimates.” them when searching for homes, but it’s Those are notoriously inaccurate — again, important to realize Zillow’s num- REAL ESTATE because Zillow doesn’t have acber one drawback — it’s lack of cess to MLS data for comparable TODAY accurate listing information. sales to determine actual values.

It used to be that Zillow got a The one thing which Zillow direct feed from our MLS, as it offers that I find useful on occastill does from many other sion is property lines drawn over MLS’s. However, for more than a satellite view. The other data a year, Zillow has not been getand advice you need to take with ting any information at all from a grain of salt. the Denver MLS. Look up your own home adAs a result, you’ll find many dress on Zillow and see what you “for sale” listing on Zillow that are think. In the case of my own no longer for sale. With today’s home, Zillow is very accurate

By JIM SMITH, limited inventory of homes for about the details of my house, but ® Realtor sale, that can be really frustratit describes the real estate market ing for buyers. in my neighborhood as “cold,” which couldn’t As a Realtor, I frequently get calls from be further from the truth. And Zillow’s valuaclients and others asking to see a home tion of my house is off by about $100,000. listed for sale on Zillow, only to tell them that Another statement on Zillow with which I the house they saw on Zillow sold a month disagree is the following: “June has historiago or even longer. cally been the best month to list a home in Fortunately, there’s an easy solution to this your area. We estimate that listing your problem. The Denver MLS is available to the home in June would increase your sale price general public, not just to licensed real estate by $3,303 over listing in February.” If our professionals. It’s at www.REcolorado.com. market were truly “cold,” that might be true, Consumers don’t see all the information that but, as I’ve written before, winter can be the agents see and can’t search on as many best time to list a home in our current seller’s fields, but they have the assurance that if it’s market. There are fewer listings with which “active” on that website, it is actually for sale you’re competing, and almost as many buyand their broker can show it to them. ers jumping on each new listing that comes That’s not to say that Zillow shouldn’t play on the market. a role in your home search. Just don’t go Zillow does contain school ratings from there first when looking for available listings. Great Schools, which is nice. It also has Go to Zillow after you find a home for sale on more rentals than our MLS. And, of course, the MLS, to benefit from insights not availa- Zillow displays agents who pay them a lot of ble to you (or me) on the MLS. money to be featured next to listings.

Do You Like Southwestern Art & Artifacts?

We recently listed and sold the Golden home of Marcia Mustoe, who was well known for collecting southwestern art, pottery, furniture and artifacts. Her home in South Golden was a virtual museum of such items!

Marcia made frequent visits to Santa Fe and cultivated many close relationships with artists.

She cherished and supported the local art scene both there and in Golden.

Unfortunately, Marcia passed away in December, and an estate sale company has been retained to sell her fabulous collection.

A list of the items being sold (with pictures) can be seen online at www.estatesales.net/ CO/Golden/80401/1425210.

The sale is happening today and tomorrow, Feb. 9th and 10th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Marcia’s home, 17205 Rimrock Drive, Golden.

What about other websites? Keep in mind there is no better website than our MLS on which to search for listings, because it displays all active listings. The only national website that is directly linked to every MLS is realtor.com. I use it for searching outside Colorado, knowing that if it’s active on that website, it’s actually available to buy.

The brokerage websites which display listings — for example, remax.com or redfin.com — get their information directly from the MLS as well, and they’re pretty much all the same. We have that same feed on our website, www.GoldenRealEstate.com. But it is possible for brokerages to opt out of displaying their listings on these brokerage website, so the only 100% complete source for active listings is www.REcolorado.com.

There are multiple MLS’s in Colorado, and it is possible — although not smart — that a seller might list his home with an agent who is not a member of the local MLS. For example, occasionally I’ll see a listing of a Jeffco home that is on the northern Colorado MLS,

called IRES. This is not smart because very few Jeffco agents are members of IRES and even if they are, they aren’t going to search IRES for Jeffco listings. I happen to be a member of IRES for when I list homes in our northern suburbs or in the northern foothills such as Coal Creek Canyon. Similarly there are probably many northern Colorado listings on the Denver MLS that aren’t on IRES, which means those listings don’t get full exposure to buyers in their market.

Informational Session on ‘8 Weeks to Wellness’ Is Next Wednesday This is the program that Rita and I rave about. Over 10 of my readers have also taken it with similar good results. If you’d like to know more about it, come to a free informational session next Wednesday, Feb. 15th, at 6:30 p.m. at the office of Body in Balance, 755 Heritage Road, Golden. Call 303-215-0390 to reserve your seat(s). I’ll be there myself.

What’s the Difference Between Condo & Townhome?

Good question! And an important one!

A townhome owns the land under it, and there is no unit above or below it.

A condo owns only its “air space.” There could be units above it or below it, since it does not own the land under it.

Occasionally, I come across a subdivision that structurally resembles townhomes, but is legally a condo complex, meaning that the land under those “townhomes” are owned by the HOA, not the individual unit owner.

The distinction may not mean much to the typical homeowner, but it’s useful to know the difference.

A duplex is another variation. Sometimes both sides of the duplex have the same legal description and cannot be sold separately.

Other times, each side might have its own legal description and address and can be sold separately. It’s possible to subdivide a duplex with a single legal description so that each side can be sold separately.

Finding duplexes to purchase can be complicated by the fact that ones with a single legal description are listed in the “Residential” database of the MLS, but ones with two legal descriptions are listed in the “Income” database. A similar dilemma applies when it comes to listing farm or ranch land which has a home on it. It could be listed under “Land” or under “Residential,” but not both.

All these categories are listed together on realtor.com, which is one reason to use that website on occasion.

Jim Smith Broker/Owner

Golden Real Estate, Inc. DIRECT: 303-525-1851

EMAIL: Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com

All Agents Are EcoBrokers

17695 South Golden Road, Golden 80401 WEBSITE: www.GoldenRealEstate.com

4 Lakewood Sentinel

February 9, 2017F

HometownIMPRESSIONS M O M E N TS I N T I M E F R O M YO U R C O M M U N I T Y

Learning how to speak and lead at Toastmasters

BY CLARKE READER CREADER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Dawn Yawn Toastmasters chapter is a well-oiled machine.

Every moment of the weekly Wednesday 7 a.m. meetings are timed and measured, keeping the proceedings efficient and informative.

It also gives everyone an opportunity to practice speaking.

“One of my long term career goals is to establish a ranch for women who have recently been released for prison,” said Stacy McElvaney, the group’s newest member, who was officially inducted during the Feb. 1 meeting. “I want to speak to community members and other people about the topic knowledgeably.”

Toastmasters is an international organization founded in 1924 that focuses on public speaking and leadership skills. Each meeting has a theme and features several main speakers talking about various topics. Almost everyone has a role in the meeting, like Jokemaster or Grammarian, and these roles change each week.

Jim Horner, a member of the Dawn Yawn Toastmasters group, talked about the challenges of dealing with stress during the group’s Feb. 1 meeting at Red Rocks Community College.

CLARKE READER The Dawn Yawn’s meetings are usually at the Denny’s at 6th Avenue and Union Boulevard, but the Feb. 1 meeting was held at Red Rocks Community College due to scheduling conflicts. For such an early hour, the nearly 20 members of all ages were in very energetic spirits, laughing and joking before the meeting began, promptly at 7 a.m.

Every presentation in the meeting is timed, and after every person speaks throughout the entire hour

and a half, the group applauds.

“We applaud because that’s what happens after people are done speaking, and we don’t want our members surprised by that when it happens,” explained Tom Spaeth, Toastmaster for the meeting. “It helps us be good speakers, and good audience members.”

Fittingly, the theme of the Feb. 1 meeting was Groundhog Day, which was incorporated into some of the topics with humor and in the word

of the day, which (also fittingly) was “prognosticate.” The three main speakers were Hunter Sceats, who discussed future energy challenges, Jim Horner, who talked about the challenges of dealing with stress, and Dennis Robinson, who shared his memories of going to Woodstock ‘99.

And after their presentations, their evaluators provided feedback.

“As a therapist, I appreciated the metaphor of a day pack we all carry,” Linda Baird, Horner’s evaluator, told the group. “It was very creative, thought provoking and evocative.”

The evaluations are also evaluated by the group, and the best evaluator received an award, as does whoever makes the best speech and most improved. Even the meeting as a whole is evaluated for things like efficiency.

“This was a great meeting, and we had a great group today,” said general evaluator John Yarbrough.

“There was a great energy here today.”

And at 8:29 a.m., one minute early, the meeting ended.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES MILMOE

AN EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO

Sponsored by

Lakewood Sentinel 5

7February 9, 2017

Johnson eligible to run for second full term

BY CLARKE READER CREADER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Ward 1 council woman Ramey Johnson will be able to run for a full second term this November after Lakewood city attorney Tim Cox advised council that language in the city charter allows her to run for another term, since she served a little shy of full two years from 2011 to 2013.

The decision was made during a study session on Feb. 6, following several months of legal discussions between Cox and Johnson’s attorney, Christopher Murray.

“Frankly, it should’ve gone this direction months ago,” Johnson said during the meeting. “This reflects a terrible process in public policy, in my opinion. It is very unfortunate that more thought was not given to going in this direction earlier, and it obviously has heightened adversarial relationships, and animosity on council.”

During the meeting, council also advised Cox and staff to look at language that clarifies what “one-half of a term” means in the city’s charter, and look at possible solutions to make any changes, and bring that information back at a later date. This could include legislative solutions, and having residents vote on what “one-half of a term” means.

“This situation definitely puts council in a tough spot,” Mayor Adam Paul said. “We’re doing the best we

can to handle this with sensitivity, and we have to remember the charter is greater than us, and lives beyond us.”

Johnson was elected to fill the unfinished term of Vicki Stack in November 2011, after Stack moved out of Ward 1, and thus could not serve on that council seat anymore. Johnson was sworn into office on Nov. 28 of that year. She served the rest of that term, and was elected for a full four year term in 2013, and was sworn in on Nov. 25 of that year.

“When I had first asked about this, the answer I was given was that I Johnson couldn’t run for a second full term, because I’d served two years of Vicki’s term,” Johnson said. “But last spring Ward 4 David Wiechman took a look at the charter, and said it wasn’t so cut and dry.”

According to Article II of Lakewood’s city charter, in section 2.6, it reads, “any person appointed or elected as … a member of City Council who serves or has served at least one-half of a term of office shall be consider to have served a term in that office.”

“This was started for me at the thought of losing a talent like Ramey,” Wiechman explained. “Cutting her short to just six years seems like a terrible waste to me.”

The number of days between when

RAISING AWARENESS

Johnson was first sworn in and the end of Stack’s term was 728 days, two days short of the full 730 in two years.

As such, both she and Wiechman believe this means she is eligible to run for a second full term, and as such she field the paperwork to run on Jan. 3.

But Cox doesn’t believe it’s as clear as that.

“Very rarely does a case like this occur, where a person fills in a vacancy so close to the halfway mark,” he said.

“What needs to be decided is how we calculate what has a term means, because the charter is vague on that.”

According to Cox, another way to measure term length was put forth by then Attorney General John Suthers in a term limit case. Instead of measuring terms by calendar years, they should be measured by a fixed point — in this case, when a councilperson is sworn in, which always takes place during the first regular meeting after the election.

“Since election day falls on different days every year, sometimes a term can be longer or shorter by a few days,” he said. “Instead, by measuring it from the same event, it’s clearer and less arbitrary.”

Clarifying the situation for future councils is important to everyone involved.

“We don’t have rule in the charter for how we calculate term lengths, and that’s a question that we need to address,” Cox said. “There’s also the

question of who decides if someone can run or not — the city clerk? City council?”

Johnson first broached the topic of her eligibility to run with the city in late last summer, but due to scheduling conflicts and miscommunication on both sides, the topic didn’t coming up for discussion until January, after Johnson had already filed. As such, she maintained any changes or clarifications to the charter should not affect her, since she has already begun the election process. And she views the continued delays as purposeful, and detrimental to council relationships.

“It’s political harassment is what it is,” she said. “It’s totally political, and I think this all should’ve been handled sooner, and in a different way.

It’s causing awkwardness among the council members, which is spilling over into other things.”

Cox said the efforts are to clarify the charter, and are not in any way a referendum on Johnson, a sentiment echoed by Paul.

“Throughout this process, our city attorney has been personally attacked, as well as myself, as folks that are somehow trying to disenfranchise a colleague,” Paul said during the Feb. 6 meeting. “That is absolutely, 100 percent, not true, and it’s absurd. This is the city of Lakewood, not national politics, and the last thing we need is to bring ourselves down to this level.

We’re better than this.”

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About 25 people participate in a photo op to bring awareness to heart health on Feb. 3 in the atrium of the Jefferson County courts and administration building for National Wear Red Day. The day also served as a launch date for the Jeffco health department’s new heart health blog called Change of Heart, which will consist of various posts featuring stories from Coloradans affected by cardiovascular disease, as well as information about the lifestyle changes we can all make to help reduce the risk of heart disease. Learn more at www.jeffco.us/public-health.

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6 Lakewood Sentinel

February 9, 2017F

Businesses adapting to minimum wage hike Full effect of new law may not be felt for years

BY KYLE HARDING AND TOM SKELLEY STAFF WRITERS

The minimum wage increase that took effect in Colorado at the beginning of the year is having a minimal impact so far on the metro Denver business community, according to several proprietors and industry experts.

While some employers are evaluating how to best account for the added expense of paying workers nearly $1 more per hour, the bigger and more common quandary is how they will absorb the cost as the minimum wage rises an additional $2.70 per hour over the next few years.

On New Year’s Day, the first of four annual increases took effect in the state, raising the wage from $8.31 to $9.30. Under the new law, by 2020, Colorado’s minimum wage will reach $12 per hour, following 90 cent increases in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

For now at least, the wage increases have not affected Jefferson County Public Schools. District spokeswoman Diana Wilson said Jeffco already pays virtually all of its lower-compensated employees above the state’s minimum wage.

Jack Strauss, an economist at the University of Denver, said fast food restaurants in Highlands Ranch, where he lives, pay $10 to $12 per hour. He said that with the area’s low unemployment rate, most businesses are forced to pay higher wages.

“Denver is a booming city,” he said.

A dilemma for some One area organization that does pay some of its employees minimum wage is Goodwill Industries of Denver.

Prices at the nonprofit group’s stores won’t increase, but Goodwill has delayed expanding employee service programs, such as rent and utility assistance packages, according to Leslie Peabody, vice president of human resources.

“On the flip side, we’re definitely on the side of the power of work,” Peabody said. “We’re happy about the (new law), it’s just taking a bit of change and flexibility about what we can provide.”

Carolyn Livingston, communications director for the Colorado Restaurant Association, said restaurateurs may be reluctant to speak publicly about it, but said she has heard from some that they are adjusting their businesses.

“Some people have already increased their prices,” she said.

Livingston said that other restaurateurs are looking at cutting back on employee hours.

CRA opposed the minimum wage increase during the campaign, but the law, Amendment 70, passed with 55 percent of the vote in November.

“The thing folks don’t understand with restaurants is they only make 3 to 6 percent profit margin,” Livingston said.

Amendment 70 also raises the minimum pay for tipped employees, such as wait staff, maintaining it at $3.02 per hour below the regular minimum wage, with a requirement that the hourly wage plus tips must total at least $9.30 per hour. Livingston pointed out that this will make the tipped minimum wage higher as a percentage of the regular minimum wage than before.

“The tipped minimum wage is going up 70 percent in four years,” she said. “That’s a lot.”

Sean Kaiser, the director of operations at The Egg & I restaurant in Arvada, said extra thought had to go into his 2017 budget.

“We had to put a lot of thought into our budget this year. We’re trying to maintain hours for our employees, but it’s getting pretty tough,” he said.

At Paciugo Gelato and Cafe in Lakewood’s Belmar area, manager Mark DiFrancia says his workers are still making enough in tips so that the change hasn’t affected their prices yet. He said that without tips making up the difference, his store would be forced to raise prices, which would likely hurt total sales.

“I get that it seems like a good idea, but in reality it doesn’t work that easily,” said DiFrancia. “I think a lot of the people who voted for it don’t understand the ramifications for businesses.”

Peabody said the “skyrocketing” cost of living in and around Denver led to higher turnover with Goodwill’s staff. She hopes larger paychecks will mitigate that.

“We definitely saw that $8.75 an hour was just not going to cut it for our employees in the Denver metro region,” she said. “We weren’t paying a livable wage.”

Littleton resident Michael Kessler, who owns Sanyork Fair Trade in Denver, agrees.

“We feel that $10 or under an hour is not a living wage, especially in this economy and in Colorado,” said Kessler, whose company imports goods from Latin America. He said that all of his employees already make more than $12 per hour.

Sheridan resident Jose Ortiz, 18, said he works for minimum wage at a company in Lakewood, which he declined to identify, and welcomes the wage hike.

“Every little bit helps,” he said.

IEDC President and CEO Jeff Finkle.

and Pilsner. More about the brewing company is available at www.acgolden. com.

What’s next?

Kessler was one of the business owners who signed on to the Business for a Fair Minimum Wage campaign

IMPACT ON RESTAURANTS In 2015 the Colorado Restaurant Association surveyed its members about what they would do, when faced with a similar minimum wage increase proposal, and they responded: 89 percent would increase prices 72 percent would reduce hours for employees – ex: keep a smaller staff for traditionally slower times 71 percent would reduce the number of employees 20 percent would consider closing locations in favor of Amendment 70.

Strauss, the DU economist, said that modest minimum wage hikes are unlikely to have large effects on food prices in Denver, but said effects could be felt in parts of the state where the economy is not as strong, such as Pueblo or rural parts of the state.

While activists around the country have been calling for a $15-perhour minimum wage for several years, Amendment 70 was crafted as a compromise, with its supporters saying that they recognize that $12 per hour in Denver is different from $12 per hour in Pueblo.

Peabody said it will take time to fully understand the effect Amendment 70 will have on the bottom line. She said Goodwill is preparing to adapt.

“Every four years, there could be a change in policy just based on the presidential elections,” she said.

“You’re always kind of changing based on what can happen in the marketplace or the political arena.

We just have to make changes and adapt.”

— Staff writers Clarke Reader and Shanna Fortier contributed to this report.

BUISNESS NEWS IN A HURRY Ribbon cutting for Aegis Professional Realty The community is invited to attend a ribbon cutting for Aegis Professional Realty from 4:30-6 p.m. Feb. 16 at Aegis Professional Realty, 514 9th St., in Golden.

The event is free. To RSVP, contact Cheryl Jordan with Aegis Professional Realty at 720-363-5626. To learn more about the company, visit www.aegisprofessionals.com.

Economic award for Arvada The Arvada Economic Development Association (AEDA) is pleased to announce that it has once again been recognized as one of 53 economic development organizations accredited by International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Originally accredited in 2013, AEDA has been reaccredited by IEDC following three successful years of activity as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) member.

“AEDA displays the professionalism, commitment, and technical expertise that is deserving of this honor”, said

AC Golden Brewing announces beer lineup AC Golden Brewing Company, a Golden-based brewery that produces the Colorado Native beers which are made with 100 percent Colorado ingredients, has announced its 2017 beer lineup.

The Colorado Native Imperial Porter rolled out in January. In the spring, the Colorado Native Saison will be available, with a date expected to be sometime in April. In the summer will come the Colorado Native Olathe Lager and Colorado Native Winterfest will be available in October.

In addition, AC Golden will release four beers from its Colorado Native Barrel-Aged Sours collection. Colorado Native Apricot will be released in the first quarter, followed by Colorado Native Kriek in the second quarter and Colorado Native Peche and Colorado Native Plum in the third and fourth quarters respectively.

All the special releases join the Colorado Native beers that offered yearround: Amber Lager, Golden Lager, IPL

Ace Hardware of Jewell Square recognized by corporate The Ace Hardware of Jewell Square, 7777 W. Jewell Ave., Suite 1B, received the “Pinnacle Performance Retailing” from the Ace Hardware Corporation.

Out of more than 4,800 stores in more than 60 countries, the team at Ace of Jewell Square is one of only a few hundred Ace retailers to achieve this status.

To achieve Pinnacle Performance Retailing status, the team at Ace of Jewell Square successfully demonstrated excellence in a number of key performance areas, measures designed to help them provide a better overall shopping experience in their local community.

“What it means for our customers is that we are more committed than ever to providing our neighbors — both our loyal shoppers and our new customers — with the best possible retail experience, from customer service to product offerings and more.” said Jim Hassig,

owner at Ace of Jewell Square, in a statement.

Local FASTSIGNS branch receives national award The FASTSIGNS located at 1000 S. Wadsworth Ave., Unit H/I in Lakewood, received national recognition out of more than almost 650 locations worldwide at the 2017 FASTSIGNS Convention in Phoenix, Arizona.

The branch, which has been open for 23 years, received the Pinnacle Club Award, which is given to the centers ranked 26 to 125 for sales volume between Oct. 1, 2015 and Sept. 30, 2016.

“We are truly honored to be recognized as a top performing center in the country,” said franchisee Rick Abercrombie, who owns the location with his wife, Lisa. “This award reflects our entire team’s dedication to helping businesses and organizations in the community tell their story, increase awareness and achieve their goals.”

SEE BRIEFS, P22

Lakewood Sentinel 7

7February 9, 2017

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February 9, 2017F

Pennington, Stober parents rally behind schools Both Wheat Ridge facilities face closure in cost-saving efforts

BY CLARKE READER CREADER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Samanthia Loomis’ youngest daughter, Autumn, took her first steps in the courtyard at Pennington Elementary.

Several of her other children have attended the elementary since her family moved to the area six years ago, and Loomis has been the

PTA president at the school for four years and teaches preschool there.

So her reaction to hearing that Pennington is one of the five schools being considered for closure as part of the district’s efforts to save money is simple.

“I’m heartbroken,” she said. “This school has meant the world to my family.”

The 56-year-old Pennington and 52-year-old Stober Elementary are both being considered for closure. Both schools are in the Wheat Ridge articulation area — meaning both schools feed into Everitt Middle School,

and eventually Wheat Ridge High School.

And families at both schools are organizing to fight for their school.

“Stober has been on the closure list for the past couple years, and we’ve always mobilized our parents and community around the school,” said Stephanie Schooley, co-president of Stober’s PTA. “We’re looking at long-term strategies to make sure the board knows closing this school would be a grave mistake.”

Pennington’s community is also looking at ways to speak up for their school.

“Families are really invested in us here,” Loomis said. “We have a really diverse population, and I hate the idea of all these students having to spread out.”

In 2013, Pennington started extending school days thanks to grant funding to help provide students with more learning time.

Pennington has an enrollment of about 202 students in a space that could hold 237, and Stober has an enrollment of 296 in a facility with a capacity of 276.

Parents at Stober aren’t only concerned about the school closing, but what the

psychological effects of the constant threat of closing does to students and staff.

“We’re not in thrive mode, we’re in survival mode,” Schooley said. “In the past we’ve gone to Wheat Ridge and Lakewood city council meetings, and we’ll also be reaching out to local elected representatives.”

Beyond her school, Loomis worries about the quality of education and facilities in the county as a whole if the closures happen.

“As the Jeffco community, we need to share our stories,” she said. “This is bigger than all of us.”

NEWS IN A HURRY Free legal advice on elder law Jefferson County is offering free legal advice concerning elder law or probate matters from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 10 in Room 2040 on the second floor of the Jefferson County Administration and Court Facility, 100 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden.

The service is offered to anybody who is not represented by a lawyer.

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The event is available on the second and fourth Fridays of every month, excluding holidays.

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Open Space volunteer fair Jeffco Open Space is hosting its 2017 Volunteer Recruitment Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Jeffco Open

Space Office, 700 Jefferson County Parkway, Ste. 100, in Golden.

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Current volunteers and staff will be available to answer questions or explain the different ways volunteers are involved with the open space parks.

For more information, call 303271-5992 or visit www.jeffco.us/openspace/volunteer.

Public meeting on affordable housing The public is invited to attend a meeting during which the Jefferson County League of Women Voters will examine the issue of affordable housing in Jeffco.

The meeting is offered twice.

The first meeting will take place during the league’s Mountain Parks Unit meeting at 9:15 a.m. Feb. 14 at the Highland Rescue Team Ambulance

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Lakewood Sentinel 9

7February 9, 2017

Arts loop becomes 40 West ARTline Name announced at First Friday event

open house at the Hi Little One Gallery, 1528 Teller St., on Feb. 3.

“We went through a bunch of iterations before deciding on this name,” explained Alexis Moore, principal planner with the city. “We didn’t want to just definite it as loop, because it’s going to be more than that.”

The arts loop has been in the works for more than a year, and was created in conjunction with 40

West Arts and other community partners. The loop received national support from a $100,000 Our Town grant, and will connect Aviation, Mountair and Walker Branch parks through visual cues and art installations along the way.

The call for artists will be going out soon, and residents could see some works going up by this summer, though the ARTline will not be entirely finished until summer of 2018.

Alexis Moore, principal planner with the City of Lakewood, explains the route of the 40 West ARTline at it’s official naming party on Feb. 3. PHOTOS BY CLARKE READER

The Hi Little One gallery was full with people celebrating the newly named 40 West ARTline during a First Friday event. The ARTline will soon be accepting applications from artists to do work on the line.

Arts fans turned out to celebrate the official naming of the 40 West ARTline. The ARTline, formerly known as the 40 West arts loop, will be finished in summer 2018.

Alexis Moore, principal planner with Lakewood — “We’ve been getting amazing input from the community about what people would like to see, and what we’re hearing is they want something that they can really experience. That’s what the ARTline is going to be.”

Lorene Joos, Lakewood arts coordinator — “It’s so wonderful to have art connect to people in this interactive, fun way, not just to those who live in these neighborhoods, but people from all over who will travel on this line. We’re looking for art that represents the area to users.”

BY CLARKE READER CREADER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Lakewood’s first official arts loop finally has an official name — the 40 West ARTline.

The name was unveiled during a First Friday

We were at the unveiling of the loop’s name, and here are some of the best things we heard:

Nestor Fedak, area artist — “I’ve had a lot of interest in seeing 40 West become a successful enterprise. The ARTline is a good effort to bring together a lot of people to make progress for everyone.”

For more information, visit www.lakewood. org/40Westartsloop.

10 Lakewood Sentinel

LOCAL

February 9, 2017F

VOICES As those holiday lights fade, keep your spirits up in 2017

S

HITTING HOME

Michael Alcorn

o, how is your year going?

I know — I can hardly believe it’s February already, either. It seems like it was just a week ago I was scrambling to put a Halloween costume together for my son. Now, the holidays are gone, the month of January is in the rearview, and, next thing you know, it’ll be July 4th.

Of course, there is one nice aspect of the illusion that old age brings on that time seems to slip away faster and faster: you never really have to wait that long for the important things to come back around. They don’t last very long, but they seem to appear with greater frequency.

But, I digress…

How is your 2017? Have you recovered from 2016 yet, been able to keep your positive outlook, the “fresh start” I think many of us were hoping the changing calendar would bring?

I’m not even going to ask you about your New Year’s resolutions.

I’ve mentioned before that one of the things I love most about the Christmas season is that we do, as Bill Murray once said, for a short time, become the people we always hoped we would be. When the Christmas lights are up, and the music is in the air, I think a lot of people have a better outlook on life. And when the lights go down…

Actually, I was just noticing tonight that,

for the first time since early October, nearly four months ago, not a single house along the route I go for my run is decorated. And, I must confess, the drab-ness of the surroundings in my neighborhood is, in some part, matched by a drabness in my spirit.

I try — I do — I work at holding on to that sense of joy and wonder I feel during the holidays as the new year begins. And I fail. But I do, every once in a while, make a point of reminding myself to hold on to whatever it was that comes so easily during the holidays.

And, I know, back to work, and back to school, SEE ALCORN, P11

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Let’s get some things right about leadership ALCHEMY

Andrea Doray

B

y the time you read this, I will have conducted my first board meeting as the newly elected president of the international organization, Writing for Peace. You’ve probably heard me mention Writing for Peace before because I have served on its board of directors since its founding five years ago.

In this regard, I am like so many of you who support the individuals and organizations important to you. In my own family and circle of friends, I count board members and presidents and volunteers and mentors.

I’ve watched you bake goodies, create crafts and donate your

A publication of

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time and money and experience.

I’m inspired by your dedication to serving in government and at nonprofits, on committees and commissions, for schools and for causes that you believe in.

As I’m writing this, I’m pondering the agenda for that first meeting. It’s one thing to participate with talented, dedicated people working toward a shared ideal, but quite another to attempt to bring together their diverse views and opinions about how to reach that ideal.

I’ve just made the leap to leader.

I’m honored, yes, but also apprehensive. I know the SEE DORAY, P11

Props to the plows Michael Durall was critical of the way Golden city employees clear snow off our streets. I’m one of those very “longer-term residents” and I’d like to compliment the city for their job of keeping our streets clean, repaired, and reasonably cleared of snow.

It helped me to take the city’s free “Public Works” classes. Seeing how efficiently the city uses the limited tax dollars we pay, and senior citizens do pay fewer taxes, I then also took advantage of doing a “ride along” with the plow driver one night when it was snowing. I now understand how they plan and prepare for every predicted snow storm and then coordinate their 12-hour shifts, 24/7, focusing on thoroughly clearing the main corridors first, then doing more limited removal on less traveled streets, on down to the much less traveled side streets, until the streets are reasonably cleared enough for travel.

Personally, I see clearing to the curbs as a problem. It would build higher banks and many cars are parked on the streets.

It would make it even harder to get out of the driveways. Where would they put that snow without unnecessary extra expense?

I expect to shovel my driveway out to the street. My son lives in a neighboring city where the side streets are never plowed. And, in our metro area, we are usually blessed that “the sun with come

out tomorrow.”

Doubling staff raises on the backs of students The Jeffco school board wants to find $25 million to provide salary increases for staff members.

This is twice what was proposed in ballot measure 3A which failed in November of 2016. So the community said no to raising taxes for a $12.6 million salary increase but the board is doubling that amount and looking for over $25 million.

The estimate is the state will increase funding for Jeffco next year by about $14 million and there will be $9 million in savings from retirement savings from highly paid staff who retire and are replaced by lower cost entry level employees. So there are nearly $25 million in new dollars which could be allocated to compensation increases but instead the district is proposing programs cuts and fee increases from the billion dollar budget all the while blaming tax payers for not voting to give them another billion dollars.

The board wants the community to understand how much more money is needed so instead of using the increased funds, they are proposing closing schools and raising fees. It would appear that the schools they have chosen are disproportionately low income

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SEE LETTERS, P11

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Lakewood Sentinel 11

7February 9, 2017

DORAY FROM PAGE 10

commitment of time and energy and resources that’s expected of me. I’m willing to make this commitment because I genuinely care about the organization, our goals, and the people we serve. To accept such a responsibility otherwise would be foolish.

Author Gregory Alford offers eight lessons for leaders, and although some of the advice is what you would expect, such as “see the big picture,” “listen” and “remove obstacles,” two of his points seemed particularly suitable for leadership in this era.

“It’s not about you.” Well, sure, all leaders know that … don’t we? We’re a team. But what happens when we disagree with our boards, our committees, our advisers? Certainly this experience should be one of growth and character building for everyone.

Can we, as leaders, sublimate what we think, believe, are certain is right for different paths chosen by others?

As I prepare this agenda with updates from various board members,

LETTERS FROM PAGE 10

or Title 1 populations, why? There are schools which have higher choice in percentages and low utilization which are not being considered. Why when the community said no to treating staff like robots and giving $12 million in raises is the board doubling the number to $25 million and taking it out on the community?

Lisa Papke, Lakewood Moving sixth graders will cost over $25 million The Jeffco school board is considering a proposal to spend $25 million to build additional classrooms at a few select middle schools to support moving sixth graders out of elementary schools. But problems arose in the conversations.

First, there was no plan to add capacity to Manning, an option school on the Golden, Wheat Ridge border.

The board was told if they approve this plan, Manning will likely only take students from Wheat Ridge for next year’s seventh grade class, eliminating a school choice for many Golden and Lakewood families.

Second, with no plans to add classrooms to Bell or Summit Ridge, sixth graders moving to those schools would find used temporary buildings them. That’s right, close schools with real classrooms and move students into expensive temporary buildings.

The rationale for this move does not make sense logistically or financially.

Third, the board was also told that enrollment in district run schools continues to decline. In fact, district run schools have 600 fewer students this year than last. Moving sixth graders out of elementary schools creates dozens more small schools which adds them to the closure list. The board is looking at closing five schools at the

I’m reminded that I am surrounded by smart people, by people who all believe in the same end game. And if they agree on a direction I don’t, I’ll have to believe that the team has acted for the good of the organization. Besides, as Alford states, if I can’t get the best from my team, I will never reach my own potential as a leader.

“It’s all about you.” Like a thunderclap, this one struck me. Of course, it’s about the leaders. All eyes are on us as we attempt to foster trust among us, around us and for us. We must model what we expect, we must walk the talk. At Writing for Peace, for example, we’re a working board and it’s all hands on deck.

I didn’t agree right away when I was asked to serve. I examined within myself whether I was – or will be – worthy of this mantle. In the end, it was the belief in me by people I myself believe in that led to the leap. And I would encourage any of you considering such a leap to just take it.

It will be quite a ride.

Andrea Doray is a writer who believes that peace is possible. Contact her a.doray@andreadoray.com.

end of this year and School Board President Mitchell, says it is just the beginning of school closures.

Fourth, the board was told that student achievement of sixth graders in middle schools is not better than the achievement of sixth graders in elementary. Why spend $25 million when student achievement may not improve?

Finally, this whole plan is designed to make cuts to fund $25 million in compensation increases for staff.

The board could use the additional $14 million in new state funds, the $9 million in retirement savings, or the $6 million in revenue that has been over-budgeted for years.

Why should Jeffco voters support spending $25 million to build new classrooms while closing schools and moving sixth graders into temporary buildings that won’t help student achievement?

Deb Eigenbrod, Littleton School Board plan decimates Wheat Ridge Wheat Ridge has lost hundreds of elementary school seats from school closures or reorganizations in recent years. In 2011, Martensen Elementary was closed and students moved. The district claimed there would be hundreds of thousands of dollars saved, but the school was turned into the security center and little savings were realized.

In 2015 Wheat Ridge 5-8 was closed and Stevens Elementary was moved into the much larger building designed to hold over 700 students, but now has 379. The old Stevens building, designed for over 400 students, houses less than 100 as Sobesky moved in.

Now the school board is looking at closing both Pennington Elementary,with 279 seat capacity, and Stober Elementary, with 275 seats.

We are being told the savings will be SEE LETTERS, P12

ALCORN FROM PAGE 10

and the first round of bills from the holidays arrives, and, at least this year, the spectacle of the endless political cycle looms over everything still, and … It’s hard to hold on.

But that’s when it’s even more important to make an effort to recapture some of the joy of weeks past. I think we have a choice between giving in to the maximum angst and outrage around us, or finding ways to inoculate ourselves against the darkness and reflect joy and light into the world.

So, let me offer a nickel’s worth of free advice, some ideas I had that could help all of us keep our spirits up a little bit.

Put a time limit on the amount of social media you ingest in a day. I can’t tell you how many of my friends have shut it off altogether in the last couple weeks, and there seems to be a certain sanity to that impulse.

Make a playlist of all your favorite, uplifting music, and make a point of turning it on once a day Find beauty — instead of reflexively going to news stories and information first thing in the day, pull up pictures of majestic scenery, or dancers, or great artists; heck, even Bob Ross is better for your soul than MSNBC or FoxNews.

Share your hatred of the New England Patriots with everyone around you — build community out of common feelings.

Go for a walk at sunset.

The point is that we control our spirits and what we put out into the world, and we can choose whether we dwell in the cesspool of the culture or we try to rise above it, and pull others up with us. The people we always hoped we would be didn’t confine their hopes to December.

Michael Alcorn is a teacher and writer who lives in Arvada with his wife and three children. His novels are available at MichaelJAlcorn. com

In Loving Memory Place an Obituary for Your Loved One. Private 303-566-4100 Obituaries@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

Funeral Homes Visit: www.memoriams.com

12 Lakewood Sentinel

LETTERS FROM PAGE 11

over a million dollars a year, and the funds are needed to increase salaries by over $25 million. While many of the students from Stober and Pennington may end up filling seats at other schools, the question remains how will these seats be replaced as new families moving into Wheat Ridge?

In addition, the school board plan calls for the elimination of two gifted and talented teachers at Wheat Ridge High. This is the only high school-level gifted and talented center program in the entire district, but the board is proposing cutting the staff which supports these students.

Does Wheat Ridge end up on the short end of the stick because not one school board member lives there? Will our Mayor, City Council and community members stand up to the school board and fight to keep our neighborhood schools open? I

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February 9, 2017F reach out to my fellow community members, and ask, please email the school board (board@jeffco.k12. co.us) and tell them to keep Pennington and Stober open. The board is scheduled to vote Feb. 9, will you be there to support our community?

Erin Aggus, Wheat Ridge Middleschoolers getting younger, but losing social and emotional support In what might have been the most ironic part of the nearly six hour school board meeting on Jan. 26, the school board once again discussed moving sixth graders to middle school. This time they did so breaking their promises to have a two year planning process to enable families to have time to plan for this transition. They discussed moving sixth graders throughout much of the district for the 2017-18 school year. Yes, that means this year’s fifth ad sixth graders could be going to middle school next year. That means two of the three grades at middle school would be filled with new students.

If that isn’t bad enough the board discussed cutting the social emotional supports for middle schools.

Out of the billion dollar budget, the board is contemplating cutting $2 million for social emotional support.

Yup that is right, no more social

JEFFCO FROM PAGE 8

District building, 317 S. Lookout Mountain Rd., in Golden. For more information on this meeting, call Robin at 303-674-1780.

The second meeting will take place during the league’s Lakewood/Golden Unit meeting at 9:15 a.m. Feb. 16 at the Cason Howell House, 1575 Kipling St., in Lakewood. For more information on this meeting, call Terri at 303-618-6931.

An evening meeting also is available on Feb. 15. For information on an evening meeting slated for Feb. 15, call Teresa at 303-972-4238.

emotional supports just as they double the number and lower the age of those students. Even though one of their selling points of moving sixth graders to middle school is access to social emotion support services.

The Chief School Effectiveness Office also finally admitted there are critical downsides to having sixth graders in middle schools. Finally we heard that student achievement for sixth graders in middle schools is not likely to improve. Oh, and they want to spend $25 million to add capacity to middle schools while some like Bell, Manning and Summit Ridge will get temporary buildings to house these new students. Email the Jeffco school Board (board@jeffco.k12.co.us) and tell them to leave sixth graders in elementary schools.

Maureen Sielaff, Littleton District math doesn’t add up The Chief Operating Officer for the school district. Mr. Steve Bell tried to tell the school board it could save over $3.5 million by closing 5 schools. That is an average of about $600,000 per school. But all we have to do is look at history and know closing a school doesn’t come anywhere close to saving $600,000. We can look to Martensen Elementary which was closed in 2011 but rather

For the Love of Libraries The first meeting of the FRIENDS of the Jefferson County Public Library will take place from 6:15- 7:45 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Golden Library, 1019 10th St. Attendees will have a chance to learn about fun opportunities offered at the library through the FRIENDS of the Jefferson County Public Library and the library’s foundation.

The event is Valentine-themed and people may participate in a Share Your Love of Books exercise. Similar to a speed-dating set up, participants are encouraged to bring a favorite book to chat about it with a different person every four minutes in a progressive lineup.

The event is free, but advance registration is required. Visit www.

than sell the building, it has now become a security center. There are no utility savings, there are no grounds keeping savings. The students went to other schools, so the teachers, janitors, and lunch personnel went to other schools as well. Maybe a principal salary was saved. (not this year because two unopened schools have had principals this year.)

In addition Mr. Bell said that the schools are attractive to buyers and that closing schools could be sold and that money would be put into building improvements. Again look at history, Zerger elementary also closed in 2011, has been shuttered since then but utilities must be kept on to be sure pipes don’t freeze and the building doesn’t deteriorate. If schools are so attractive to buyers why hasn’t this building been sold?

In fact Mr. Bell’s staff said Doral Academy, the arts integrated charter school which opened in Jeffco this year wanted to rent Zerger. We know Mr. Bell said Doral couldn’t rent the building because he had offers, but it hasn’t sold. They would rather pay to maintain an empty building than rent it out for cash.

Not only has the district lost potential revenue, the savings Mr. Bell is pedaling have not been anywhere close to what was suggested.

Stephen R. Alley Jr., Lakewood

jeffcolibrary.org to learn more or to register.

Orchestra honors Black History Month The Jefferson Symphony Orchestra’s winter concert will take place from 3-6 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Green Center of Colorado School of Mines, 924 16th St., in Golden.

The concert honors Black History Month and works by Duke Ellington and William Grant Still will be performed.

Tickets cost $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, $10 for students ages 11-18 and $5 for children ages 10 and under.

To learn more or purchase tickets, call the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra’s office at 303-278-4237 or visit www.jeffersonsymphonyorchestra. org.

HAVE AN EVENT? To submit a calendar listing, send information to calendar@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

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7February 9, 2017

Dino Ridge rezone moves forward Jeffco commissioners approve modifications for property near Dinosaur Ridge

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Jefferson County commissioners took only about an hour on Jan. 31 to discuss the most recent modifications to a rezone application for a property near Dinosaur Ridge before passing it with a 2-1 vote.

Commissioner Libby Szabo made the motion to approve the rezone application with all its modifications. Commissioner Casey Tighe voted yes with Szabo, and Commissioner Donald Rosier provided the no vote.

Rosier was also the dissenting vote at the Jan. 17 meeting.

The Jan. 31 meeting followed a highly anticipated Jan. 17 meeting during which the three Jeffco commissioners voted 2-1 against allowing a car dealership as part of the rezone. More than 200 people attended the meeting and commissioners heard nearly 10 hours of public comment — the vast majority of it being in opposition to the car dealership.

The rezone concerns the west side of the C-470 and Alameda interchange — an area commonly referred to as Rooney Valley. Two properties are involved. One is a 40.5-acre parcel on the northwest corner, and the other is a 30-acre parcel on the southeast corner. Rezone proposals for the

two properties are being handled by the county as separate cases.

Although the Dinosaur Ridge Visitor’s Center is not part of the rezoning proposal, its proximity is what was most concerning to activists.

“If approved, the rezoning and subsequent development would cause irreparable damage to this area of tremendous geological, historical and paleontological importance,” said Linnea Hauser in a statement provided via email on Jan. 7. Hauser is the vice president of a local activist group called Dinosaur Ridge Neighbors. “Longterm impacts would be far-reaching as well as local.”

A local developer called Baseline Corp., which represented property owners Three Dinos, LLC in the application process, originally applied for a rezone of the northwest quadrant to build a car dealership.

This sparked months of opposition to the rezone application. Dinosaur Ridge Neighbors formed in late March to provide information about the proposed rezoning, and to oppose it.

The Jefferson County Planning Commission approved with conditions the car dealership rezone application on Dec. 8. Conditions mainly concerned lighting standards and parking.

The planning commission approval prompted the Dinosaur Ridge Neighbors to organize a Jan. 11 rally at the Jefferson County courts and administration building, which was attended by dozens.

The Jan. 31 decision to approve the rezone application without the car dealership came with additional modifications, including a maximum building height of 50 feet for hotels or motels on the west side of the property. All provisions

specific to auto dealerships have been removed, including some plot size restrictions.

In 2007, the properties were rezoned from residential and agricultural to a corridor district, allowing for commercial development, according to county records. Without the car dealership, the approved rezone application still allows for development including hotels, motels, gas and service stations. These are in addition to the uses the land is currently zoned for, per the 2007 rezoning — a variety of commercial and light industrial uses such as office buildings, retail, banks, restaurants, medical supply/drugstores and laboratories.

Although the Dinosaur Ridge Neighbors are pleased — and somewhat surprised — with the commissioners’ decision to deny the car dealership, there is more desire to leave the properties as open land, said Randy Stafford, a member of the Dinosaur Ridge Neighbors Advisory Committee, on Jan. 31.

“The primary issue is development versus conservation,” Stafford said.

But at the Jan. 17 meeting, speaking on behalf of Three Dinos, a representative said the area has been zoned for development for nearly a decade, and leaving it open space is “not where we are right now.”

Stafford understands the property is already zoned for development, he said, but questions why Three Dinos, LLC has failed to develop it for nearly a decade.

“There’s a history, and when you look at the history, it’s not favorable to conservation-minded people,” Stafford said. “The 2007 decision happened too quickly and quietly for people to oppose it in strength.”

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14 Lakewood Sentinel

LOCAL

February 9, 2017F

LIFE

Dalton Geske, 18, of Denver shelves books at Christian Used Books, where he works part-time. The bookstore, at 3436 S. Broadway in Englewood, features 75,000 used books on site and 50,000 more stored in a warehouse.

PHOTOS BY CHRISTY STEADMAN

Books, Bibles

and

Beyond

Christian bookstores offer more than just the written word

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

W

andering around the maze of more than 75,000 books in a 2,500-square-foot bookstore on South Broadway, the section titles are diverse: Endtime thrillers, books for mom, on the supernatural and Christian living, to name a few.

Nonfiction sits near novels of imagination. There are dictionaries, books on prayer and guidebooks that teach how to study the Bible. Then there are the rare collector books — some that can be traced back to 400 years ago.

“We have so many cool and interesting books here,” said Dalton Geske, an 18-year-old Denver college student who works part-time at the Englewood store, Christian Used Books.

“And you get to see how much they’ve been loved,” he added, pointing out highlighted texts and handwritten notes in some of the nearby books.

Christian bookstores are a niche market. They offer readers a different experience than online shopping — and many serve a purpose beyond the business of selling books.

Richard Weigang of Centennial stands with some of the Catholic items at his store of 25 years on South Broadway in Englewood.

“This is a bookstore, but it’s also a ministry,” said Eddie Cook, owner of Christian Used Books. “It’s amazing what happens in here.”

The ministry of books Denver residents Cook and his wife Bonnie have owned and operated the bookstore for 25 years. Cook is a pastor who started a church in Englewood in 1992, but is now an itinerant evangelist — which means he preaches in various places — so that he can focus more on the bookstore.

The bookstore ministers in a number of ways, Cook said. For example, he donates Bibles and religious books to organizations or individuals in need. Many of those materials will go to missions overseas such as to Ghana, Cambodia, the Philippines and Liberia.

Although Cook sees new customers every day, a lot of his regulars come back for the knowledge, he said.

“Christians are always working on something,” Cook said. “The folks who come in here are either growing

personally or helping someone else grow.”

Christian author and pastor Dave Cheadle agrees about the added value of bookstores.

About 10 years ago, Cheadle started the Harvest Christian Community church in Wheat Ridge. Now, he works with the homeless through Giving Heart Englewood.

Cheadle has been writing since at least the mid-1970s, he said, and has more than 150 articles and six books published. He is working on the third novel of a Christian fiction trilogy that he describes as an “apocalyptic end-of-the-world type of story.”

In the story, Christians are called upon to minister to the suffering world, Cheadle said, and the main character preaches about grace and truth.

“That is the theme of my life — it’s a theme I feel strongly about and it comes through in the books,” Cheadle said. “I love getting caught up in the story as I write it.”

Richard Weigang of Centennial holds a master’s degree in biblical theology and as a store owner, it’s all about taking an interest in the customer and helping he or she buy what they want and need, he said.

Weigang and his wife Lorena have owned and operated The Catholic Store, 3372 S. Broadway in Englewood, for 25 years.

SEE BOOKS, P11

Lakewood Sentinel 15

7February 9, 2017

BOOKS

gang said. “I think people can relate to saints. They give us an example on how to live.”

FROM PAGE 10

“We serve primarily Catholics, but people of all faiths come in,” Weigang said. “Some people want to browse and others have their mind made up on what they want.”

The store specializes in Bibles, books and gifts such as prayer cards, rosaries, jewelry, saint statues and crosses.

The book selection is mostly nonfiction, Weigang said, but the store carries a wide variety of subjects and authors — including children’s books — and there is a lot of literature in Spanish.

“The saint books sell the best,” Wei-

Reading rooms open to all Christian Science Reading Rooms also can serve a number of purposes as a bookstore and lending library, said Don Morris, librarian at the First Church of Christ Scientists of Arvada.

Reading rooms are open to the public, Morris said, so people who are familiar with Christian Science come for prayer or study. But others come in because they are curious.

Everybody is welcome to visit the reading room, Morris said, but it must be noted that all materials available at any Christian Science reading room support the Christian Science move-

ment and must be from the Christian Science Publishing Society.

“We don’t offer books from just anybody,” he said, adding reading rooms can be thought of as a “one-stop-shop” for all things on Christian Science.

Many of the materials in the reading room are for sale, some can be borrowed and others are for on-site use only.

“The reading room is not just about selling products,” Morris said. “It’s about being a place where people can come for a spiritual atmosphere — a good, quiet place to get away.”

Independent brick-and-mortar Christian bookstores are at somewhat of a decline, Cook of Christian Used Books said. His best guess is that about 70 percent across the U.S. have closed within the past 15 years as a

result of big-box retailers offering cheaper prices and the ease of online shopping.

However, “books will always be the way we learn and communicate,” Cook said. “And there’s still a need for people to be able to walk into a store and buy a book.”

And, then, there’s the community aspect.

“Sometimes, I wander into a Christian bookstore just to connect with the wall of books that prove I’m not alone in my faith and struggles,” Cheadle said. “Standing in front of a shelf filled with works by often brilliant scholars and writers who’ve explored my very issues and have found hope — just touching the spines of these great works, pulling a few from the shelf — can be enough to lift my spirits.”

Communicating with empathy in ‘HIR’

Miners Alley hosts regional premiere of kitchen sink drama

IF YOU GO WHAT: “HIR” WHERE: Miners Alley Playhouse 1224 Washington Ave., Golden WHEN: Jan. 27 - March 5 Friday and Saturday - 7:30 p.m.

Sunday - 2 p.m.

COST: $28 adult $25 senior $18 child 12 years old and younger INFORMATION: 303-935-3044 or www. minersalley.com

BY CLARKE READER CREADER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In a changing world, one of the things people often find comfort in is family, and the familiarity in those relationships.

That is certainly what Isaac, a recently discharged Marine in Taylor Mac’s play “HIR,” is looking for when he returns from war. But the family he comes home to isn’t the one he left.

Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave., hosts the regional premiere of “HIR,” directed by Josh Hartwell, through March 5. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday.

“This show really deals with the issues of change and progress,” said Royce Roeswood, who plays Isaac. “The show is very much in the vein of a kitchen sink drama, and fits perfectly in the close atmosphere audiences get at Miners Alley.”

The family Isaac returns to after his service is almost completely changed — his father, Arnold (Marc Stith), was a patriarch with little room for kindness or empathy, but has had a stroke.

His mother Paige (Martha Harmon

Isaac (Royce Roeswood), a Marine, returns home to his mother, Paige (Martha Harmon Pardee), and the rest of his family to big changes in “HIR,” at Miners Alley Playhouse.

COURTESY OF MINERS ALLEY

Pardee) has taken on management of the house in his place and wants to do things differently. And his younger sister Maxine is in the process of transitioning to becoming his brother, Max (Cory Sapienza).

We spoke to Roeswood and Pardee, and about some of the features they said makes “HIR” such a unique show: Point 1: The subject matter — “I think this show provides a great learning opportunity about the transgender community, which is one many people may not be familiar with,” Roeswood said. “I think the theater is a great place for this, because audiences

are hearing these stories from a live person.”

The show’s title comes from the gender pronoun that Max adopts in the show, Pardee explained.

“A lot of the play is about acknowledging the language people use to describe themselves,” she added. “Now more than ever, we need to bear down on empathy and demystification of things we don’t understand.”

Point 2: The depth — “HIR” can be enjoyed on several layers, Pardee said.

There’s the plot and the characters if viewers want to stay on the surface, but digging into themes and motivations

leads to some powerful perspectives.

“More and more ideas keep revealing themselves the more you think about it,” she said. “Audiences will be able to relate to a lot of the dynamics at work in the show.”

The arc of the characters is particularly compelling, Roeswood added.

“It’s easy to take sides at the beginning,” he said. “It becomes more difficult as the story goes on and more surprises are revealed. By the end, it’s hard to be on anyone’s side.”

Point 3: The conversation — Both Pardee and Roeswood said they hope the play sparks conversations for audience members, not only about the challenges facing the transgender community, but about familial relationships.

“The show is definitely boundary pushing,” Rosewood said. “It’s exciting to be talking about things in the theater people often don’t speak about.”

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16 Lakewood Sentinel

February 9, 2017F

Careers Help Wanted

PLACE YOUR AD TODAY!

303-566-4091

Help Wanted

Accountant:

Monthly QuickBooks bookkeeping for small environmental company in Golden near School of Mines.

Fax resume to 720-213-4338 or e-mail bleisure@irismitigation.com

Administrative Assistant.

General Contractors-Sub Contractors.

Jefferson County Housing Authority is accepting applications for contracting work in the Single-Family Rehabilitation Program. Applicants must have experience, proper licenses, liability and worker’s comp insurance and have or will obtain LBP and Federal SAMs certification. JCHA is an equal opportunity employer. For application forms call 303.403-5423 or email mtoineeta@jcha.org.

Drivers CDL-A: Regional.

Excellent benefits.

Home 3 nights/week.

Pneumatic Tankers. good driving record.

Kevin: 319-750-5993

Part-time 16-24 flexible hours per week for small environmental company in Golden near School of Mines.

Fax resume to 720-213-4338 or e-mail bleisure@irismitigation.com.

Are you seeking more than a paycheck?

The Boettcher Mansion Part-Time Custodian performs customer service projects and housekeeping duties.

For more information and application: http://www.jeffco.us/jobs

C.N.A. Help Wanted for son.

He needs gentle, caring in-home care.

He is non-verbal / non-ambulatory but has lots of love and smiles to give.

PT or FT. Days Mon-Fri. North Parker.

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Independent contract drivers needed to deliver flowers for Valentines Day. Must use your own vehicle and provide MVR, insurance & license. Contact Mike at (720) 229-6800.

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Interested in an entry level law enforcement job dedicated to ensuring commercial motor vehicle safety?

The Colorado State Patrol is currently accepting applications for Port of Entry Officer Interns, permanent, full time positions with benefits.

To view the job description, qualifications and online application, go to www.colorado.gov/jobs.

Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm, February 14, 2017.

Positions available in several locations.

Interns will attend a 9 week Academy that begins June 19, 2017.

Must be able to pass a background investigation, polygraph and drug test.

Colorado Statewide Classified Advertising Network To place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado newspapers for only $350 $275, contact your local newspaper or call SYNC2 Media at 303-571-5117.

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WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER WANTED! Colorado Community Media needs a freelance journalist for coverage of Adams County, focusing on the communities of Thornton, Northglenn & Westminster.

You must be able to write clear, concise news stories as well as compelling feature articles. You will need your own camera for this job.

We are looking for someone who has the time to commit to doing two articles, with accompanying photos, each week. This is a contract position. Pay is negotiable.

For more information or to apply, contact executive editor Ann Macari Healey at ahealey@coloradocommunitymedia.com

For local news any time of day, find your community online at

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Lakewood Sentinel 17

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February 9, 2017F

Trump picks conservative Gorsuch for Supreme Court Coloradan says role of judges is to apply work of lawmakers

BY JULIE PACE AND MARK SHERMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Donald Trump has nominated Colorado’s Neil Gorsuch, a fast-rising conservative judge with a writer’s flair, to the Supreme Court, setting up a fierce fight with Democrats over a jurist who could shape America’s legal landscape for decades to come.

At 49, Gorsuch is the youngest Supreme Court nominee in a quarter-century. He’s known on the Denver-based 10th Circuit Court of Appeals for clear, colloquial writing, advocacy for court review of government regulations, defense of religious freedom and skepticism toward law enforcement.

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Gorsuch’s nomination Jan. 31 was cheered by conservatives wary of Trump’s own fluid ideology. If confirmed by the Senate, he would fill the seat left vacant by the death last year of Antonin Scalia, long the right’s most powerful voice on the high court.

Some Democrats, still smarting over Trump’s unexpected victory in the presidential election, have vowed to mount a vigorous challenge to nearly any nominee to what they view as the court’s “stolen seat.” President Barack Obama nominated U.S. Circuit Court Judge Merrick Garland for the vacancy after Scalia’s death, but Senate Republicans refused to consider the pick, saying the seat should be filled only after the November election.

Gorsuch would restore the court to the conservative tilt it held with Scalia on the bench. But he is not expected to call into question high-profile rulings on abortion, gay marriage and other issues in which the court has been divided 5-4 in recent years.

What they’re saying about the nomination

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On the round-about at South Golden Rd. and West 16th Ave. Sunday Praise & Worship................... 9:00 am Fellowship Time ................................. 10:00 am Church School ................................... 10:30 am

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Lakewood Sentinel 19

7February 9, 2017

Crossing county lines for health awareness

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Denver resident Andrea Pérez recently took her 5-year-old daughter Yizel to the dentist.

The Jan. 14 visit didn’t go very well — Yizel had to get five fillings that Saturday.

“I was not happy about that,” Pérez said. “It clicked right away. I thought, I have to do something.”

So the following Thursday, Pérez, 25, who is expecting her second child in June, took a pledge to reduce the amount of sugary beverages that her daughter consumes.

The pledge is offered through a new metro-wide campaign called Hidden Sugar, which can be accessed online at www.Hidden-Sugar.org. The campaign is meant to target parents and caregivers with children ages 0 to 6.

Hidden Sugar is spearheaded by six metro-area health departments that joined forces to form the Healthy Beverage Partnership —Jefferson County Public Health, the Tri-County Health Department (Adams, Douglas and Arapahoe counties), Denver Environmental Health, Denver Public Health, Broomfield Public Health and Environment and Boulder County Public Health.

The purpose of Hidden Sugar, said Allison Wilson, Jefferson County Public Health’s Healthy Beverage Partnership coordinator, is to educate parents on how much sugar hides in certain drinks, and encourage families to reduce the amount

of sugar served to children.

“Ideally, it would be none,” Wilson said, “but the goal is to reduce.”

Sugary drinks are the biggest source of added sugar in a child’s diet, Wilson said. Not only are they bad for dental health, she said, they can contribute to a number of other health risks. For example, a child who drinks one sugary beverage each day has a 25 percent increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, a 55 percent greater risk of becoming overweight or obese and a 150 percent greater chance of developing fat deposits in the liver, which contribute to diabetes and heart disease.

“This is one of the easiest ways to attain children’s health long-term,” Wilson said. “Healthy behaviors start when you’re young.”

“Colorado is often seen as one of the healthier states in the U.S.,” said Maria Smith with Denver Public Health. “But we know we have to work on childhood obesity because we want our children to have a healthy future.”

Along with promoting healthier options and providing suggestions for replacing sugary drinks, the Hidden Sugar campaign compares the sugar levels of sugary drinks to those found in sugary foods and desserts.

“It really has that wow factor,” Smith said, adding that the hope is adults remember that wow factor each time they make a beverage selection for their children.

Working as a partnership has allowed all the health departments to leverage combined resources while providing

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Little by little, the Pérez family is making progress with cutting back on how much sugar Yizel consumes in the beverages she is served.

One challenge the family faces is that Yizel spends a lot of time with her grandparents, Pérez said. So she is working closely with them to help with the effort. But a big part is getting Yizel to adjust to the changes, and educating her to make healthier choices on her own when she asks for something to drink, Pérez said.

“I told her, you’ll have cravings every once in a while. But you have to limit yourself,” Pérez said. “Once a week is OK.”

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the community with the same message in one unified voice, said Matt Jackson, the healthy food and beverage policy specialist at Tri-County Health Department.

“We know these health issues don’t stop at county lines, so the more effort we can put into working together, the better health outcomes for our region,” he said.

And most likely, Jackson said, there will be more times in the future that the health departments partner to deliver a message to help the impact reach more families metrowide.

“We can work more efficiently when we work together,” he said.

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Littleton Ladies Golf League 9 Hole Accepting new members for Wednesday morning play for the 2017 season Contact Mary Uppinghouse uppies@aol.com

Shrine of Saint Annes Catholic Church Hosts their 81st annual Spaghetti Dinner 7555 Grant Place, Arvada.

Dinner in the Parish Center from noon - 6pm Sunday February 12th.

Cost is $8 adults, $3 children 9 and younger.

For more information call 303-420-1280 Want To Purchase minerals and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: P.O. Box 13557 Denver, CO 80201

SEEKING ACCIDENT WITNESS On May 13, 2016, at approximately 12:02 pm, there was a traffic accident in the intersection of 88th Ave and Harlan St. The accident involved two vehicles- a Mercedes Sprinter van and a Toyota Tacoma pick-up. At least one driver was injured.

The Westminster Police Department investigated the accident; however, they were unable to identify/locate any independent witnesses to the accident.

Your assistance is needed. If you witnessed this accident, please contact: Investigator Hal Shucard HDS & Associates, LLC 303 797-3736

Please Recycle this Publication when Finished

20 Lakewood Sentinel

February 9, 2017F Pete Weir, left, the district attorney of Gilpin and Jefferson counties, left, passes a baton to Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader to symbolize the official transfer of the Child Sex Offender Internet Investigations (CSOII) Unit on Feb. 2. The unit’s mascot CHEEZO — stands between them

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CHEEZO unit restarted in new Jeffco home

Internet sex crimes investigations unit transfers from DA to sheriff

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

CHEEZO, Jefferson County’s cool cat of crime fighting, will continue its work of protecting children against internet sex crimes, now through the Jefferson County Sheriff ’s Office.

An event to officially transfer the Child Sex Offender Internet Investigations (CSOII) Unit — named after its mascot CHEEZO — from the district attorney’s office to the sheriff ’s office took place Feb. 2.

“CHEEZO is alive and well,” said Pete Weir, district attorney for the 1st Judicial District, which includes Gilpin and Jefferson counties. “This great work will continue.”

The unit has two main components — public education on safety concerning internet crimes and investigations into identifying perpetrators of sexual internet crimes against children.

“Virtually every school kid in Jefferson County knows CHEEZO,” Weir said, adding the unit spoke to an estimated 30,000 school children through its public education and community outreach component.

However, in December, the investigations component shut down after Phil Cherner, complained that the district

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IVING

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attorney’s office was in violation of ethical rules because CHEEZO investigations took on assumed personas during undercover operations.

Cherner represented Carlos SilvaRayas who was convicted in 2012 on two felony counts of criminal attempt to sexually exploit a child. The arrest and conviction were based on investigative work done by the CHEEZO unit.

Cherner sent a letter to the Colorado Attorney Regulation Council in 2015, and near the end of 2016, the council decided not to file an official ethics complaint if the district attorney’s office ceased the investigations component of CHEEZO. Colorado law allows law enforcement agencies to conduct deceptive investigations tactics, but lawyers — including the law office of the district attorney — cannot. The CHEEZO unit was developed by Mike and Cassandra Harris, a married couple who are certified law enforcement officers. The problem was that the unit was housed in the district attorney’s office.

Discussions on continuing the unit through the sheriff ’s began almost immediately following the shutdown of the investigations component. At the Feb. 2 event, Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader swore in four people to continue the CHEEZO unit in the south precinct of the sheriff ’s office.

“The parents and children of Jefferson County can rest assured knowing M somebody is looking out for them,” P said Jeffco commissioner Libby Szabo, l who attended the event.

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Lakewood Sentinel 21

7February 9, 2017

Remembering Hank: Former Wheat Ridge mayor dies Frank “Hank” Stites celebrated in park that bears his name STAFF REPORT

Frank “Hank” Stites kept his sense of humor his entire life.

According to his son Mike Stites, even after a stroke on Jan. 6 forced Hank into the hospital, he was still joking around with the nurses.

“He was talking about the park (the city) named after him, and how they didn’t know he hadn’t died yet, and Stites he showed up a week later to the dedication.”

That park — Stites Park at 29th Avenue and Newland Street — served as a fitting location for the Wheat Ridge community to say farewell to Frank Stites during a Feb. 4 celebration-of-life ceremony.

“This park is a living memorial to a life well-lived and enjoyed,” Mike Stites said as part of his remarks.

Frank Stites died on Jan. 31 at the age of 90 from stroke complications.

He is survived by his wife Juanita

Mike Stites, son of the late Frank Stites — who passed away Jan. 31., hugs one of the many folks who came to pay their respects to the Stites family during a celebration of life ceremony, Feb. 4., at Stites Park.

GLENN WALLACE Stites, son Mike Stites and his two daughters, Susan Stites and Nancy Talmey, along with two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was born in Hill City, Kansas, one of seven brothers and sisters.

“He always said he grew up in a home with love, and not much else,” said Mike Stites.

Frank Stites served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, then returned to Kansas to marry his first wife and “the love of his life,” Betty

Kobler, in 1947. The couple moved to Wheat Ridge where Stites attended night classes at the University of Denver. He studied Business Administration.

In 1954, Stites established B & F Tire, a business he expanded over the years at its present location on West 38th Avenue and Quay. “The “B” in B & F Tire is for Betty and the “F” is for Frank,” Mike Stites said.

Frank always said that he liked his nickname “Hank” because it was easier to spell.

Stites was elected mayor of Wheat

Among the more than 100 who attended the Frank Stites cleebration of rememberance on Feb. 4., was Congressman Ed Perlmutter (D-Wheat Ridge).

GLENN WALLACE Ridge five times. He also served on the city’s parks and water board.

Stites also served on the Board of Directors for Lakeside National Bank, was president of the Rocky Mountain Tire Dealers Association, president of the Wheat Ridge Lions Club and a charter member of the Wheat Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

“The city’s lost a great guy,” Wheat Ridge Mayor Joyce Jay said after the ceremony. “Active to the end.”

The Stites family has asked that donations be made in Frank’s honor to the Wheat Ridge Community Foundation.

EXPERIENCE NEEDED. SMILES WANTED. More than 100 people gathered in the sunny, albeit a tad windy conditions of Stites Park in Wheat Ridge Feb. 4, to commemorate Frank “Hank” Stites, former mayor and longtime businessowner of Wheat Ridge.

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22 Lakewood Sentinel

February 9, 2017F

Helping therapists focus on healing New business concept seeks to make it easier to bring therapy to the public

BY CLARKE READER CREADER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Mental health counselor Sujatha Reddy at her Lakewood SonderMind office. Reddy runs the Lakewood location, which is used by 17 area therapists.

CLARKE READER need, instead of worrying about the business side of things.

“Therapists don’t go to school for business — they go to learn how to help people,” Boyd, who is also the company’s Chief Clinical Officer, explained. “We wanted to provide an easier option for them, something that is less intimidating and makes growing their clientele easier.”

SonderMind has eight locations between Boulder and Denver, including Lakewood, Thornton and South Denver. At each building, SonderMind rents out the space to therapists who need a location to work out of. Thera-

pists can rent an office on an hourly space, or for long-term rentals. Therapists do their own marketing, but all the office needs and supplies are taken care of for them.

In addition, the company developed an online platform to help people in need of treatment find a therapist, and to provide their therapists with a way to communicate and brainstorm together.

Since its creation, more than 200 area therapists have joined SonderMind.

“I came at this from a client and consumer side,” Frank, who is also

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For more information about RNR visit www.rnrfranchise.com.

FROM PAGE 6

RNR Tire Express and Custom Wheels comes to Lakewood RNR Tire Express and Custom Wheels, a national franchise retailer of tires and custom wheels is looking to expand into Lakewood.

For the past 15 months, RNR has opened a new location each month.

RNR was developed out of a need to provide a flexible, pay-as-yougo model, which allows clients to pay for their tires on a weekly or

Windish RV wins humanitarian award Ally Financial and RV Business Magazine presented Windish RV, 11225 W. 6th Ave., with the 2017 Arthur J. Decio Humanitarian Award for its ongoing charitable efforts within the Lakewood and west metro community. .

As part of the award, Ally and RV Business will donate money to local youth organizations, Colorado Youth at Risk and Sense of Security.

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Fresh off a move to the Lakewood area from Ohio, mental health counselor Sujatha Reddy was looking for a place she could set up an Ayurvedic and counseling clinic.

“I was in the process of getting my therapy license and heard about this new company,” she said. “I wanted my own practice, and the way the company approaches doing that sounded really interesting to me.”

At about the same time, Denver resident Bryce Giron-Mathern was trying to get some help with sleeping problems he was having.

“I was having a hard time with insomnia, and wanted to see a therapist to get some help,” said Denver resident Bryce Giron-Mathern. “I had reached out to other therapists and had never heard back from any of them.”

Both found a chance at SonderMind.

SonderMind is a Colorado company founded in 2014 by Mark Frank and Sean Boyd with the aim of helping mental health practitioners focus on providing the care their patients’

the company’s CEO, said. “I’ve been amazed at how difficult it can be finding a therapist can be, and so we thought we could improve everyone’s life.”

At www.SonderMind.com, people can search for therapists that are accepting clients based on topics and location. And therapists who are a member of the company have a special portal where they can collaborate and find resources for clients in need.

“Doing things this way really opens up all kinds of opportunities to help our clients in the best ways possible,” said Carrie McCrudden, a therapist at one of the company’s Boulder locations. “The company just keeps growing, and I really appreciate that kind of mindset.”

Since starting with SonderMind, Reddy has gone from doing therapy work to managing the Lakewood location, which opened in April.

“We all have our own practices, but we’re all in this building, so we’re part of this great community,” she said.

“I want to help all the therapists in this location grow and expand to help more people.”

For patients like Giron-Mathern, SonderMind’s approach has made getting help a much better process.

“I knew if the therapist I was seeing couldn’t help me, they would know someone who could,” he said. “It’s just this great resource available whenever I need it.”

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Lakewood Sentinel 23

7February 9, 2017

LAKEWOOD NEWS IN A HURRY Input on arts, parks and recreation An update to the Community Resources Department’s 2008 master plan is currently underway in the city, with the aim of setting the course for how the city can support community access to parks and play over the next five to eight years.

Through a partnership with the National Research Center (NRC), 3,000 randomly selected Lakewood households will receive a survey in the mail, asking them about current facilities and program offerings and to identify priorities for the future. Households that receive surveys will have until March 15 to return them to NRC. For those who weren’t selected to receive a survey in the mail, there will be an online version available Feb.15.

Residents are asked to take this online survey only if they were not selected to receive the mailed version as data will be analyzed separately.

Information about Imagine Lakewood!, and the online survey on Feb. 15, can be found at Lakewood.org/Imagine.

Interested members of the public should check the website often for opportunities to speak with city staff at events and meetings throughout the summer, as public participation is key to the development of this plan. The plan will be presented to Lakewood’s City Council in October.

For more information, contact Allison Scheck at 303-987-7872 or AllSch@ Lakewood.org.

Nominations open for Mayor’s Inspiration Award The City of Lakewood is accepting nominations for remarkable people and organizations in the community to be considered for the Mayor’s Inspiration Award.

Any individual, organization or business that is making a significant contribution to the Lakewood community is eligible.

In its inaugural year, the award can be for any of the categories listed below.

Multiple awards could be given in each category: -Youth: any individual under the age of 18 - Individual: any individual age 18 or older -Neighborhood: any neighborhood including those that do not have a designated neighborhood organization or homeowners’ association -Business: any business with a Lake-

wood sales tax license -Civic association: any association or service organization including Kiwanis, Elks, Rotary and Boy and Girl Scouts -Organization: any organization that does not fit into another category Winners will be selected in March, and an awards ceremony and presentation will take place in the spring.

Residents can submit nominations through Feb. 10 at Lakewood.org/ MayorsAwards. People can also email a nomination (including in video form) to Angela Cline at angcli@lakewood.org or mail it to her attention at City Hall, 480 S. Allison Parkway, 80226. Questions can be directed to Cline at 303-987-7098.

Positions open on Lakewood’s boards The City of Lakewood’s boards and commissions are accepting applications, and the deadline to apply for all the openings is Feb. 10.

Apply online at Lakewood.org/ GetOnBoard, which provides a full description of the qualifications for each position. For more information, contact Ethen Westbrook at 303-987-7661 or ethwes@lakewood.org.

There are positions open on the following: Advisory Commission for an Inclusive Community, Historic Preservation Commission, Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission.

RRCC offers free tax filing services This tax season, Red Rocks Community College is partnering with the Denver-based Piton Foundation to help families become more financially secure by providing free tax preparation services through the Tax Help Colorado program.

Beginning Jan. 28, IRS-certified Red Rocks Community College students will prepare and e-file tax returns free of charge for individuals with household incomes of less than about $54,000 a year.

Tax preparers are trained to ensure the individuals they serve get the best refund possible, as many of them are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit.

This free service, which is quick and confidential, will be offered at the college, 13300 W. 6th Ave., room 1103, from 9 am. to 2 p.m., Saturdays through Feb. 11 from 9 am to 2 pm, and from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from Feb. 17 through March 10.

A list of all the Tax Help Colorado sites, as well as the locations of other

free tax assistance sites in Colorado, is available by dialing 2-1-1 (it’s a free call), visiting http://www.piton.org/tax-help, or finding Tax Help Colorado on Facebook (www.facebook.com/taxhelpcolorado) and Twitter (@TaxHelpCo).

LWV hosts affordable housing discussions The Jeffco League of Women Voters is examining affordable housing in the county at its unit meetings in midFebruary.

The first Lakewood meeting is at 9:15 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the Westland Meridian, 10695 W. 17th Ave. Call Darlene at 303-238-8996 for more information.

There is an evening meeting at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the Jeffco LWV Office, 1425 Brentwood St., Suite 7. Call Teresa at 303-972-4238 for information.

The final meeting is at 9:15 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Cason Howell House, 1575 Kipling St. Call Terri at 303618-6931 for information.

All meetings are free and open to the public.

Colorado Wind Ensemble to play locally The Colorado Wind Ensemble presents nationally renowned trumpeter Brian Shaw in a program of contemporary music by young composers in “Dreams and Visions” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb 24, at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway.

Conductor David Kish leads ensemble in a program that includes Peter Graham, Frank Ticheli, and Fisher Tull.

The Lakewood High School Band will join the ensemble at the concert.

Volunteer Fair announced The Community Just Serve Volunteer Fair will be held 9-11:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 25 at 6465 W. Jewell Ave. The event aims to bring together community and volunteers together.

Some of the service organizations scheduled to appear are Jefferson County Public Schools, The Action Center, Jefferson County Open Space, Lutheran Family Services, Jefferson County Open Space, the International Rescue Committee, and Mountain Resource Center.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a package of diapers or help make blankets to benefit the International Rescue Committee and Jefferson County Human Services.

For more information, visit www.

JustServe.org .

Zachary Jimenez scholarship Lakewood High School is offering the $5,000 Zachary Jimenez Memorial athletic scholarship for seniors at the school.

The school is also hosting the third annual Zachary Jimenez Memorial Scholarship Benefit on from 5 p.m. to midnight on Feb. 25 at 1555 Grant St. in Denver. The event will feature food, music, and a raffle. Entry is $10 per person, and $15 for a pair. Children are free.

For more information, call 303-7184456 or visit www.zacharymemorialscholarship.com SEE LAKEWOOD, P25

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24 Lakewood Sentinel

THINGS to DO

THEATER

‘Burn This’: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 6 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 12 at the Edge Theater Company, 1560 Teller St., Lakewood.

A shocking and beautiful story of grief and love. Adult themes; for mature audiences. Tickets available at www.theedgetheater.com or by calling 303-232-0363.

Children’s Theatre Production of `Robin Hood’: 1 p.m. Saturdays through March 4 at Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave., Golden. Call for weekday performance availability. Call 303-9353044 or go to minersalley.com.

For ages 12 and under, and the people who love them.

Regional Premiere of ‘HIR’: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through March 5 at Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave., Golden. Shows also planned at 7:30 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 12, Feb. 19 and Feb. 26.

Call 303-935-3044 or go to www. minersalley.com.

ART/FILM

Explore Mythical Creatures Through Art: 4-5:30 p.m.

Wednesdays through March 15 at Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada. Ages 3-6 years. Ages 6-14 years. Register at Arvada.org/public-classes.

EVENTS

Warm Hearts Warm Babies: 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 10001 W. 58th Ave., Arvada.

Volunteers sew, knit, crochet and quilt for premature infants and babies in need. Contact Glenda at 303-975-6394 or ColoKidz@aol. com, or Jean Jones at 303-239-6473.

Items are donated to hospitals, crisis pregnancy centers, shelters, law enforcement agencies, foster care WIC offices, and individuals across much of Colorado. Bring your machine, scissors, crochet hooks and knitting equipment, along with a potluck dish.

American Legion Post 161 Meeting: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at 6230 W. 60th Ave., Arvada. Contact 303-424-0324 for cost and other information.

Nights Out Series: Love Potions and Chocolate Valentines: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10 at the Arvada Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada.

February 9, 2017F

Wyoming. Sign up by Feb. 16.

Visit Arvada.org/public-classes to register.

this week’s TOP FIVE Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays through Feb. 16 at PranaTonic Yoga and Wellness, 2600 East St., Golden. Call 303-274-5733 or go to www.PranaTonic. com.

‘Phantom of the Opera’: 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday Feb. 10-11 and Feb. 17-18 and 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17 at Colorado ACTS, 11455 W. Interstate 70 Frontage Road North, Wheat Ridge. Non-musical version. For tickets and information, call 303-4566772 or go to coloradoacts.org.

20 Steps to Selling Your Own Home: 6:30-7:45 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, at Columbine Library, 7706 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton; and 6:30-7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20 at America’s Wellness Clinic Meeting Room, 441 Wadsworth Blvd., Ste. 101, Lakewood.

Bring a dessert or appetizer to share. Workshop is free. Led by a licensed Realtor. Register at www. re-workshops.com or call 303-489-9217.

Hands Dirty, Feet Wet Nature Playdates: 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 16, at Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada. Kids can build snow forts, climb on logs, jump stump to stump, balance rocks, and connect with their world. For all ages. Go to Arvada.org/public-classes to register.

Adults only. Make edible chocolate valentines and amazing love potions, a.k.a. fancy mocktails mixed by the experts from Steuben’s Arvada. Space is limited; register at www.jeffcolibrary. org or by calling 303-235-5275.

Registration opens one week in advance.

Make Something: Chocolate Valentine: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Arvada Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada. Create a chocolate valentine by drawing on acetate with melted chocolate. Once it chills, you’ll have a lovely card. All ages; kids must be accompanied by an adult helper.

Registration required; call 303-235-5275 or go to www.jeffcolibrary.org.

Where to Start to Love Your Heart: 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Natural Grocers at Vitamin Cottage, Northwest Store, 7745 N. Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. Uncover some common heart care myths, and begin your journey toward heart health with three simple dietary strategies and three supplements.

Contact Kate Sheets at 303-423-0990.

Russian Story Time: 10:30-11:15 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada.

For ages 3-5 years. A local mom and native Russian speaker brings the language to life through nature-themed books, songs, games and stories. Go to Arvada. org/public-classes to register.

Jazz Trumpeter Rob Miles Joins JSO: 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19 at Colorado School of Mines Green Center, 924 16th St., Golden.

Jefferson Symphony Orchestra celebrates Black History Month.

Tickets available at www.JeffSymphony. org, by calling 303-278-4237 or at the door.

Tax Help Colorado: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Feb. 11 at Red Rocks Community College, 13300 W. Sixth Ave., Lakewood, Room 1103. Help also offered from 2-8 p.m. Fridays from Feb. 17 to March 10. Go to http://www.piton. org/tax-help.

Shrine of St. Anne’s Catholic Church Spaghetti Dinner: noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12 at 7555 Grant Place, Arvada. Dinner is in the parish center. Call 303-4201280 for cost and other information.

Jefferson County Republican Men’s Club: 7-9 a.m. Mondays at Davies’ Chuck Wagon Diner, 10151 W. 26th Ave., Lakewood.

Students, youth and women invited and welcome. Upcoming featured speakers: Contact Fred Holden, president, at 303-4217619. Go to http://jeffcorepublicanmensclub.org. Upcoming speakers are Feb. 13, Anil Mathai, Adams County Republican Chairman, “What, Where and When in Adams County Republican Politics?” Feb. 20, Dan McMinimee, “What is the `how did, what is and how should’ of a major school district’s finding a superintendent?”

Crop Circles: They’re Not What You Think: noon and 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 14 at Lifetree Café, 5675 Field St., Arvada.

Filmed interview features Nancy Talbott, leading international crop circle researcher, describing witnessing the formation of a crop circle firsthand. Contact Polly Wegner at 303-424-4454 or pwegner@ peacelutheran.net.

Affordable Housing Crisis in Jefferson County: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at the Arvada Elks Lodge, 5700 Yukon St. Call Marcia at 303-422-6588. A meeting at the Lakewood LWV Office is at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 1425 Brentwood St., Suite 7, Lakewood.

Call Theresa at 303-972-4238. Affordable housing is in critical short supply in Jefferson County. Rent and housing prices are escalating and homelessness is on the rise.

Housing is considered affordable if it constitutes 30 percent or less of a household’s income. The supply of affordable housing affects a community’s health, education and economy. What is being done to correct this shortage? Meetings led by the Jeffco League of Women Voters. An evening meeting also is planned. Call Theresa for details.

Nonfiction Book Club Looks at the Hillbilly Culture: 1 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 15 (contact Lynne at 303-985-5128 for location); and at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Lakewood Meridian, 10695 W. 17th Ave., Lakewood.

Read “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis,”

by J.D. Vance, then join the Jeffco League of Women Voters nonfiction book club for the discussion.

Unearthing Colorado: 1-2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 18, at Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada. Learn techniques and clues to have a successful rock hunt around Colorado and

Girls in S.T.E.M. Contest: Open to girls in grades 5-8. Final presentations are Feb. 22 at the Golden Library. Winners will be honored at the International Women’s Day Luncheon on March 8. Individuals or groups of up to 4 may enter.

Contact Stephanie Douglas at 303-235-5275 for details.

Jeffco International Women’s Day Luncheon: March 8 at Denver West Marriott, 1717 Denver West Blvd., Golden. Keynote speaker is Dr. Tracy Camp, Colorado School of Mines. Tickets on sale now. Sponsorships available.

Go to http://www.ixpowerfoundation.org/current-projects/ march-8-women-s-day/.

Food Pantry: open from 9-11 a.m.

Wednesdays at New Apostolic Church, 5290 Vance St., Arvada, rear entrance (across the street from Beau Jo’s restaurant). Contact Gertrude at 303-902-6794.

HEALTH

City of Lakewood Blood Drive: 8-10:10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at 480 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood. Contact Dee Ann Pfifer at 303-987-7660 or visit bonfils.org.

Natural Hacks to Support Healthy Mood: 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 at Natural Grocers at Vitamin Cottage, Northwest Store, 7745 N. Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. Gain a new understanding of the complexities that play a role in supporting a healthy mood or hindering it. Nutritional, supplemental, environmental, lifestyle and other key factors will be discussed. Contact Kate Sheets at 303-423-0990.

Love Your Pet: Spay and Neuter: discounted fees for spay/neuter surgeries offered through February at Foothills Animal Shelter, 580 McIntyre St., Golden. Go to www.FoothillsAnimalShelter.org/ Spay. Contact 720-407-5215 or info@fas4pets.org.

Editor’s note: Calendar submissions must be received by noon Thursday for publication the following week. Send listings to calendar@coloradocommunitymedia.com. No attachments, please. Listings are free and run on a space-available basis.

Lakewood Sentinel 25

7February 9, 2017

MILESTONES Arvada Catherine Bailey, of Arvada, graduated with a master’s degree in education from the University of Kansas.

Erin Carroll, of Arvada, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Isaiah Haley, of Arvada, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Dorie R. Newport, of Arvada, graduated in December with a bachelor of arts in liberal studies from McNeese State University, in Lake Charles, La. Hunter Peterson, of Arvada, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Gibson Grace Shaffer, of Westminster, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s list at Doane University. A freshman, Shaffer graduated from Pomona High School.

Sarah Vangi, of Arvada, was

LAKEWOOD FROM PAGE 23

LWV new member orientation The League of Women Voters is hosting a new member orientation and welcome event from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 4, at the Belmar Library, 555 S. Allison Parkway.

s

named to the fall 2016 dean’s president’s roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Derek Wetch, of Arvada, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Golden Rebekah Anderson, of Golden, was named to the fall 2016 president’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Haley Blodgett, of Golden, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Joshua Brown, of Golden, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Austin Casey, of Golden, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Benjamin Fuller, of Golden, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s honor roll at Montana State University, in

Bozeman.

Meghan Gerritsen, of Golden, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Aspen Hammer, of Golden, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Caroline Hardy, of Golden, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Mackenzie Hull, of Golden, was named to the fall 2016 president’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Jacob Katzman, of Golden, was named to the fall 2016 president’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Philip Katzman, of Golden, was named to the fall 2016 president’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Nina Paris, of Golden, was named to the fall 2016 president’s honor roll

at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Michael Seaholm, of Golden, was named to the fall 2016 president’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Morgan Westfall, of Golden, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Morgan Wilkie, of Golden, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Lakewood Jill Bookman, of Lakewood, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s list at Illinois Wesleyan University, in Bloomington, Ill. Benjamin McHugh, of Lakewood, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

Rebecca Shephard, of Lakewood, was named to the fall 2016 dean’s honor roll at Montana State University, in Bozeman.

The event is free and open to the public. To help the League accommodate those planning to attend, RSVP to Becka by phone at 720-955-3705 or email at becka.hill@q.com.

Apply for Lakewood’s Sustainable Neighborhoods Program Apply to become part of Lakewood’s Sustainable Neighborhoods Program.

Applications are due no later than March 6 and are available at Sustain-

ableNeighborhoodNetwork.org/Lakewood.

The Sustainable Neighborhoods Program is a grassroots effort bringing new ideas, enriching programs and community cohesion to residents. It provides residents the opportunity to become active partners in enhancing the livability of their neighborhoods and reducing residents’ ecological footprint.

Volunteer leadership teams in each neighborhood are the heart of the program. These volunteers meet to brainstorm ideas that will resonate with and make a difference to their neighborhoods. They then coordinate initiatives and events for their residents. The city provides support in the form of printing, publications, finding community partners and staff time to assist with outreach and project development.

The Lakewood Sentinel, your hometown newspaper and part of the largest local media company in the state is looking to fill a full and part-time sales positions. If you strive to be a larger part of your community by meeting with business owners big and small, helping them grow their business by marketing with digital media, community newspapers, and everything in between – then we would like to meet you.

We have a few requirements: Flexible - Like each day to be unique?

Creative - Can you think “outside of the box”

and build programs for your clients that fit their needs?

Upbeat - Are you enthusiastic and like to have fun?

Outgoing - Enjoy networking and providing outstanding customer service?

If you answered yes, please keep reading.

Our titles are Marketing & Community Engagement Specialists but we do so much more.

Send us your resume to eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com. We are locally family owned and operated, provide training, offer a competitive salary, commission and a full benefits package that includes paid time off, health, dental, vision and 401K.

26 Lakewood Sentinel

LOCAL

February 9, 2017F

SPORTS

Athlete signs up for something big

N

D’Evelyn senior Josh Brinkerhoff (2) is guarded by Valor senior Karsten Michael (15) during the second half Feb. 4 at D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School. Valor took a 74-55 victory on the Jaguars’ home court to take sole possession of first place in the Class 4A Jeffco League.

DENNIS PLEUSS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Valor wins top-3 4A showdown against D’Evelyn

BY DENNIS PLEUSS JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DENVER — Valor Christian took the inside track to the Class 4A Jeffco League title Feb. 4.

The Eagles, No. 2 in the CHSAANow.com 4A boys hoops rankings, not only avoided a 2-game sweep against rival D’Evelyn, but took a 1-game lead in the competitive conference with four league games remaining.

Valor (15-4, 9-1) grabbed a 74-55 road victory at No. 3 D’Evelyn (15-4, 8-2).

It was a bit of revenge for the Eagles, who suffered a 10-point home lost to the Jaguars back on Jan. 11.

“That was our only loss in league,”

Valor senior Jalen Sanders said. “We wanted to get revenge and show we are the best team in this league.”

Sanders, who led the Eagles with 16 points, added that he thought it was the most complete game Valor has played this season. Valor jumped out to an early 11-0 lead in the first four minutes and pushed its lead into the 20s by the second half.

“We know we had to be a radically different team from what we were Jan. 11 because that team wasn’t good enough to win,” Valor coach Troy Pachner said of the loss to D’Evelyn nearly a month ago. “We won a big game today, but if we look past Wheat Ridge or Evergreen next week then

all this is for not.”

While D’Evelyn has an uphill battle and will need some help to grab the conference title, the Jaguars’ focus is forward.

“Just because you lose one night doesn’t mean you quit,” D’Evelyn coach Dan Zinn said. “We have a long way to go. We are still in great shape.

We need to continue to build and grow. This is not a stopping point for us by any means.”

D’Evelyn closes out its conference schedule with some key games against Green Mountain and Golden in a few weeks.

Feb. 3. Martin scored 15 points, grabbed eight rebounds and made four steals.

Isabelle Davenport, junior, swimming, Ralston Valley: She won two individual titles at the Jefferson County 5A swim meet on Feb. 3. Davenport captured the 100 breaststroke in 1:05.31 and won the 200 IM in 2:12.60.

Ashley Madden, senior, Pomona, basketball: She scored 18 of the Panthers 33 points in a 76-33 Jefferson County 5A loss to Ralston Valley on Feb. 3.

Justin Booher, senior, basketball, Green Mountain: He scored 19 points and led the team with seven rebounds in a 47-46 triumph over Standley Lake.

SEE BASKETBALL, P31

STANDOUT PERFORMERS CJ Olson, senior, basketball, D’Evelyn: He was perfect at the foul line sinking all 12 of his free throw attempts and wound up with 22 points in a 74-55 loss to Valor Christian on Feb. 4.

Savannah Martin, junior, basketball, Standley Lake: She was tabbed the Player of the Game in a 44-35 loss to Golden on

STANDOUT PERFORMERS are five athletes named from south metro area high schools. Preference is given to those making their debut on the list. To nominate an athlete, contact Jim Benton at jbenton@coloradocommunitymedia.com

l b F

ational Signing Day was Feb. t 1, when high school athletes N autographed letters of intent i d with colleges to play at the next level.

Some athletes signed in the fall, but a most football and soccer players madeL official commitments Feb. 1. There is s another signing date c t on April 12.

OVERTIME Castle View line- s man Nathan Laufen5 berg didn’t sign L a letter of intent.

Instead, he signed a o certificate of intent, i w since he plans to attend and play foot- w ball at the Air Force J Academy.

Jim Benton The certificate of P t intent is a nonbinding agreement t that signifies an athlete’s commitment to follow through with the cadet u appointment process and allows them to participate in signing day for s publicity purposes. The certificate is a signed by athletes who are recruited fi and plan to attend Air Force, Navy or o e Army.

Laufenberg’s uncles and grandfather were in the Air Force and he is already working out to be in top shape for the grueling six weeks of Basic Cadet Training this summer.

That includes training in the rural Jacks Valley center on the academy grounds in Colorado Springs.

“I’m getting in shape now,” Laufenberg said. “I felt like the Air Force Academy was a good opportunity — it is close to home and everything seemed to fit.”

Full court press for mercy rule The ball is now in the court of the Colorado High School Activities Association’s Legislative Council on whether a mercy rule for boys and girls basketball will be adopted.

We’ll find out in April if the legislative council approves the mercy rule that was tweaked and unanimously agreed on by the basketball committee. It was passed to the legislative council for endorsement.

The legislative council has 72 members made up of league representatives, Colorado Association of School Executive reps, Colorado Association of School Board reps and representatives of the Colorado Athletic Directors Association.

If the proposal is approved for the 2017-18 season, a running clock will start when there is a 35-point or more differential in scores entering the fourth quarter. The clock would be stopped for injuries, timeouts and free throws — a concession to coaches who didn’t want to give up playing time for little-used reserves and younger players.

SEE BENTON, P31

Lakewood Sentinel 27

7February 9, 2017

Short-handed Tigers unable to upset Chatfield

BY DENNIS PLEUSS JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

LITTLETON — If there is anything like the ‘dog days’ of the prep boys basketball season it was on display Feb. 1 at Chatfield High School.

It wasn’t the most impressive victory for Chatfield, No. 3 in the CHSAANow.com Class 5A boys hoops rankings, but it was a 67-55 win against a dangerous Lakewood squad.

“We feel it and we had to come over a lot of adversity with Joe (Miks), Landon (Rodgers) and Keland (Rumsey) was actually injured,” Chatfield coach Stephen Schimpeler said of all three nursing injuries. “It’s part of the season.”

While the Chargers (18-1, 10-0 in 5A Jeffco) were a little banged up, Lakewood (13-5, 7-3) was without one of the best pure shooters in the state in senior Kolton Peterson. The guard who is averaging 16.7 points per game was out sick with strep.

“It was a big loss,” Lakewood senior Jacob Storey said of playing without Peterson. “One of the worst days of the year to get sick, but I think our team came out and was definitely fired up. We played hard.”

The Tigers — led by Storey and senior Dallas Bailey — actually had a 6-point lead on Chatfield late in the first quarter. Storey poured in nine of his game-high 23 points in the first eight minutes. Bailey had a six-point

Lakewood senior Brandt Christy drives the baseline on Chatfield senior Landon Rodgers on Feb. 1 at Chatfield High School. The Tigers suffered a 67-55 loss.

DENNIS PLEUSS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

first quarter to give the Chargers a test on Chatfield’s home court.

Despite beating Lakewood by 32-point in the first league game on Jan. 7, and without Peterson on the court for the Tigers, the Chargers knew they would be in for likely their toughest conference test so far this season.

“Kolton is a very good play and

when he gets hot he is hard to stop, but Lakewood has plenty of guys who can make plays,” Chatfield senior Michael Vrabel said. “Jacob and Dallas are both animals on the inside and can shoot.”

Chatfield got things going with an 11-0 run in the second quarter to take a 27-19 lead midway through the quarter. The Chargers would never

surrender the lead on the way to its 16th straight win and 25th consecutive conference win dating back to the 2014-15 season.

The Chargers have a 3-game advantage on Lakewood. Chatfield is four games ahead of Ralston Valley and Dakota Ridge that are tied for third in 5A Jeffco with four league games left.

Schimpeler added that he thought his guard-play was good against Lakewood, but needs to be great. He praised the Tigers for giving the Chargers their closest conference game of the season despite being shorthanded.

“Give Lakewood credit,” Schimpeler said. “I think they did a good job at really trying to raise their level of play. I give Lakewood a lot of credit.”

The Tigers are focused on getting healthy and playing as well as possible heading into the postseason later this month.

“It really has been a rollercoaster, up and down,” Storey said of the Tigers’ season that includes a win over No. 9 Denver East and losing No. 1 ThunderRidge in overtime. “It is that consistency that we are looking for. I think the biggest thing for us is coming together as a team. We’ve got to unite a little bit more.”

Dennis Pleuss is a communications specialist for Jeffco Public Schools with a focus on athletics and activities.

For more Jeffco coverage, go online at CHSAANow.com/Jeffco.

28 Lakewood Sentinel

February 9, 2017F

STUDENT ATHLETE SIGNING DAY

Bear Creek High School had four football and four baseball players sign with colleges on National Letter of Intent Signing Day on Feb. 1.

PHOTO BY DENNIS PLUESS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

D’Evelyn seniors Nolan Balbin, Zach Berry and Sarah Cerrone signed with colleges on National Letter of Intent Signing Day on Feb. 1.

PHOTO BY DENNIS PLUESS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Answers

THANKS for

PLAYING!

Green Mountain seniors Dylan Jacob and Danielle Lord signed on National Letter of Intent Signing Day on Feb. 1. Both are multi-sport athletes for the Rams.

PHOTO BY DENNIS PLUESS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Lakewood Sentinel 29

7February 9, 2017

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7February 9, 2017

BENTON FROM PAGE 26

According the CHSAA, 17.2 percent of girls games this season have ended with a margin of 35 points or more. And 12.8 percent of boys games have been decided in excess of 35 points.

Caddies earn scholarships Three area young men were among 11 high school caddies from the state of Colorado who were awarded an Evans Scholarship on Jan. 18.

The scholarship is a full, four-year-housing and tuition

grant that is valued at more than $100,000 over four years.

The recipients will begin college in the fall at the University of Colorado.

The three area winners were Quinton Kelly of Littleton, who attends Dakota Ridge High School; Lakewood’s Richard Biggs, a Bear Creek student; and Faith Christian’s Joshua Garcia, who lives in Denver.

Jim Benton is a sports writer for Colorado Community Media. He has been covering sports in the Denver area since 1968.

He can be reached at jbenton@ coloradocommunitymedia.com or at 303-566-4083.

BASKETBALL FROM PAGE 26

D’Evelyn senior CJ Olson led all scorers with 22 points, but he did most of his damage going 12-for-12 from the free-throw line. The Jaguars made just three 3-pointers as Valor’s defense focused on not allowing D’Evelyn to get open looks from beyond the arc.

“In our two years together we have kind of gone through a growth process understanding what it is to defend and how essential it is,” said Pachner, who is in his second year at Valor after heading D’Evelyn’s basketball program for over a decade. “With our physical advantages and length we had to commit defense first. We aren’t just going to let teams shoot the 3-ball.”

One unexplainable fact since Pachner left D’Evelyn for Valor is the teams have split their four meetings with the visiting team winning on the road in all four games over the past two seasons.

“Apparently we like it over there (Valor) and they like it over here,” Zinn said. “I don’t know why it works that way. It’s interesting for sure.”

Pachner agreed and had high praise for his former team.

“D’Evelyn has five guys who can go off for 20 points,” Pachner said. “They are going to make a lot of noise and be really good in the tournament. Coach Zinn does a heck of a job with them.”

Dennis Pleuss is a communications specialist for Jeffco Public Schools with a focus on athletics and activities. For more Jeffco coverage, go online at CHSAANow.com/Jeffco.

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32 Lakewood Sentinel

February 9, 2017F

Few pools for local high schools

BY JIM BENTON JBENTON@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Athletes like Kiara Jasunas and Holley Dennis sometimes feel they have been left high and dry as high school swimmers.

There are 29 girls swimming teams in the north, south and west metro areas covered by Colorado Community Media, but only four teams — three in the Littleton Public Schools District and Cherry Creek High School — have swimming pools on campus.

That makes it inconvenient for swimmers, who must practice at outside facilities. Money is spent on rent and the workout sessions are often at inconvenient times.

“I’m used to having to rush to practices or rush to try to make a meet,” said Jasunas, a junior at Mountain Vista in Highlands Ranch. “We have to leave class early to make a meet, whereas if we had a pool, we could have extra time in our classes. I drive myself, but usually we have big car pools going and take whoever we can grab.”

Dennis is a Mountain Vista freshman who isn’t old enough to drive.

“It’s really hard because my mom can’t take me to the 3:15 practices,” Dennis said. “So I have another parent that takes me and a couple other girls to practice because my mom has to work until 4.”

Swimming isn’t the only sport that has to search for places outside the school grounds to practice and play.

Hockey, golf and some gymnastics teams face the same problems.

Coaches and athletes are quick to list the disadvantages of not having a pool in the building, starting with the times for practices that sometimes interfere with school work, problems with getting enough pool time for both varsity and junior varsity swimmers, and the cost to rent recreation centers for practices and meets.

A place of their own As schools with pools, Arapahoe, Littleton, Heritage and Cherry Creek can include swimming in the physical education curriculum and can schedule practices before or after school. They also can rent pool time to club teams or other schools to help defray the expense of maintaining a pool.

Arapahoe girls and boys swimming coach and physical education teacher Mike Richmond said he gets students from his swimming classes to go out for the team. Some have become good varsity swimmers.

“I walk in the pool every day and feel very fortunate to be in a school with a pool,” Richmond said.

No one interviewed was comfortable estimating the cost of building a pool at a school or the upkeep costs.

But according to USA swimming, the estimated cost to construct a pool is $180 a square foot. Depending on the pool size and the deck, the price tag for a pool could range from $850,000 to more than $3 million. This doesn’t include the price for spectator seating, showers, dressing rooms and offices.

Estimated operational costs, ac-

cording to USA Swimming, run from $113,400 a year to $244,440, depending on size.

Finding alternatives No schools in Douglas County or Jefferson County have pools in the building.

Jefferson County does not offer compensation for the rent of recreation centers, so athletic fees for swimmers are hiked, an additional $100 for example at D’Evelyn, and swimmers have fundraising activities during the season to help with expenses.

The Veterans Memorial Aquatics Center in Thornton is an Adams 12 Five Star Schools facility. It was built with a joint-use agreement with the city.

District high school teams have priority over any other users.

“The city owned the land, sold it to the district with the understanding that the facility would be leased to the city at a discount rate,” said Legacy High School coach Diana Wiles.

“It works very well. A district pool is more practical than a single high school having their own pool.”

But some, like Mountain Vista coach Rob Nasser, are left wishing they had access to an on-campus pool.

“However, in my decades in the area, it’s apparent that as pool-starved as we are here, multiple pools at schools wouldn’t go to waste at all. Yes, many programs are doing well, but many of us sure wonder if we aren’t missing out on many additional opportunities by not having pools at our schools.”

NEWS IN A HURRY

The Ralston Valley Mustangs challenged for the 5A Jeffco league title Feb. 2 and 3, coming up just short to eventual champion Chatfield.

Chatfield Senior HS earned 408.5 points for the league title, followed

by Ralston Valley’s 398.

The LHS Tigers hit the water too, and came away with a 352-point third place finish. In the 200 Mmedly relay Lakewood’s Collette Heskett, Sydni Sich, Emily Morton and Allison Jackson came in second.

Though they didn’t reach the podium, Lakewood qualified three swimmers for the 100 free, Amanda Ballard (56.82), Anna Granquist (57.22) and Rebecca Sterling (58.41).

Ballad and Sterling would also make the 50 free finals, alongside Jackson for a few more team points.

Lakewood would take third place in the 400 free relay, with Amanda Ballard, Anna Granquist, Rebecca Sterling and Morton.

Ballard, Granquist and Sterling were joined by Jackson for the 200 freestyle relay, where the Tigers took second place, behind Chatfield.

Morton went on to take third in the 100 backstroke, while Sich took second in the 100 breaststroke.

The Tiger’s top finisher was Ileana Dinette, who won the league championship in 1 meter diving.

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